A TRIP TO THE UK DOCTOR

I had hoped in vain that we could avoid health problems on this trip, but alas, it was not to be. At least a dozen students now are exhibiting symptoms such as sore throats, coughs, etc., but we had a more serious situation today. One student in our group said her eye felt as though someone was scratching it with sandpaper -- an apt, if horrifying, description. With the help of Wycliffe Hall's domestic bursar, we managed to get an appointment ten minutes from the time we called the Summertown Clinic. That's exactly how long it took for the bursar to drive us there.

In the past, I've been able to get free medical care for Eurospring students, but the UK is experiencing such intense pressure on their health services that they now charge for non-citizens. Her consultation, we discovered, would cost £35 (about $50), which sounded like a bargain to someone in her condition.

Within another five minutes, we were in the doctor's office. The young, attractive, East Indian female doctor (dressed in street clothes) was so kind and helpful that it made me wish I could be taken care of by her. She had to leave the room to secure eyedrops, leaving her purse and keys on her desk. I also noticed a panier on the floor. She must ride her bicycle to work.

Within a few minutes she declared that the cornea was NOT scratched, and that, hopefully, some antibiotic ointment would help what she diagnosed as an eye infection.

A cab was called for us, which arrived in less than five minutes. The driver, I noticed, was also East Indian. The cost -- £5. The ailing but relieved student retired to her room while I walked a block to the nearest pharmacy and picked up her prescription. The cost -- £4.95. If this works, we all are very fortunate, thanks to a relatively efficient system with efficient but very human health care professionals.