General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

Chesh., professional sports people, like motorcycle racers, are covered by insurance. So are footballers, rugby players, horse riders etc. all paid through their governing bodies, also privately. Several TT riders have ended up in Liverpool or Wrightington, as private patients, as a result of crashing in the Isle of Man.
Anybody can have their own private insurance if they want.
People complain at having to pay insurance to cover their own health needs, but the same complaining folk, who can't afford it, pay through the nose for their pet dogs to be treated should they need treatment, operations or check-ups!

Years ago, my own mum, then aged 79, had been waiting for a hip replacement for ages. The waiting list was over 12 months long, at least.
A person known to me is an orthopedic surgeon.
I told her about my mum's plight, with her hip, and she suggested I ring a certain collegue of hers to book a 'private' appointment at his clinic in Fairfield Hospital, St.Helens. I did so, paid the appointment fee (wasn't a lot, easily affordable) and the appointment, at Wrightington Hospital, was a couple of days later.
Two weeks later, she was in Wrightington Hospital, having a new hip joint.