The medical advances that mean that we are all living longer come with a sting in the tail. The extra years may come at the cost of physical and mental frailty. We may need care in our old age.
Most of us are entitled to free healthcare from the NHS. We may see private medical insurance, or more familiarly health insurance as something of a luxury.
But the NHS is struggling to treat a growing population with inadequate funding. It remains the best solution for accident or emergency, but for many types of illness, it can mean long waiting lists and overcrowded wards.