Healthcare is a bit of an unknown imo
Free at point of use NHS is technically not available to anyone who has been out of UK for 3 months or more.Period.
Strictly speaking you'd need to promise that you're here in UK to settle permanently and that if you decided to leave UK for more than 3 months you'll pay for any treatment you received.

Apart from that, does anyone knows how the NHS will be operating in say 3 yrs / 5 yrs / 10 yrs ??
It's widely acknowledged that the existing funding model is unsustainable

When living in the Philippines the major issue (from my experience) is actually getting to a good hospital for emergency treatment. Better take special care on exactly where you live.

Most folks I know rely on CC insurance (Credit Card)

I do agree that in the case of serious long term illness the current best strategy is to return to UK. Just be sure your wife has British Citizenship or another problem faces you when she's been out of UK for 2 years or more.

Hey ho.....best to be philisophical about life and fill the unforgiving minute.
Only one thing is certain.