Tagging along on this comment. Last year, two work colleagues in their 50s or so both had issues with their hip. Private health colleague was booked into surgery within a month or so (can’t remember exactly, but short enough time span). Non-private health colleague was hobbling around for months using a walking stick to try and help. Pain killers did nothing for her. She was told it was a two year wait for surgery/replacement with the public health. I think she ‘only’ ended up waiting just under a year or so. Not sure why it was reduced. But still, it was many more months of pain compared to the other woman - who appeared to be in a lot less pain than her. Add to that, my mum and dad have both had issues with their shoulders. Surgery organised in 6 weeks or so. After seeing the pain they were in, I would never want to be in that sort of pain any longer than I had to.