I remember the UK Dennis would torment "Walter the Softie" for no good reason! Like tying him up, or pouring itching powder down his back, that sort of thing. But it has been many many years since I read the Beano! :)
Also I've been to the doctors several times in the last few years (both for myself, with my wife and with our young son) and I don't remember ever having to wait for longer than about 15 minutes. Appointments are usually available the same day if my son is ill or it's something that can't wait. If it's something non vital then you are usually seen the following day. I appreciate anecdote does not = evidence but it's yet another time when an article does down our (free at the point of need) health service when it's pretty damned amazing!
e0cs0r is correct - the article is staggeringly incorrect. If the writer of it is British then she lives in a totally different Britain to the rest of us (even allowing for the passage of time).
The other downside is that this advert shares a suspicious number of similarities with the Oliver Jeffers' book (and 30 minute animation) about a boy who wears a bobble hat who befriends a lonely penguin, yet the ad agency denies all knowledge...
I appreciate that it has been this way for a while now, but I wonder at which point dressing up for Halloween went from dressing as a vampire/mummy/ghost/zombie and became just general fancy dress?
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/15/af/cb/15afcbe10c3048bfd6d3a24ab6a277f5.jpg
If the writer of it is British then she lives in a totally different Britain to the rest of us (even allowing for the passage of time).