UK here.
If you're waiting 12 hours in a&e, your condition almost certainly is not life threatening. Sprained arm, or a bad cold? You're potentially waiting a while. Head injury, or heart issues? You're not touching a waiting room seat.
The NHS can be slow as sin for non-acute issues. It took almost a year to get a benign, but disruptive lump removed. Major complications while giving birth? Instant, full blown, treatment.
We still have some private medicine. The existence of the NHS keeps their prices and practices in check. It's no longer "pay or die" instead its "pay for convenience".