It wouldn’t be a bad idea if we paid for GP appointments?

As mentioned above, it is unrealistic to expect diagnosis to be perfect all the time. Unless we were monitored constantly Star trek style, you can only go on the symptoms that are actually visible at the time the person is seen.

No one can predict the future.

I think some people just don't want to see old people getting something for free, they just don't like the old really

Thd old who can pay should pay -there should be a cap like with prescriptions. It won’t raise much if you exclude all old people. there are already more over 65s than under 15s. Recognising the huge shift in demographics & the fact there are associated economic pressures with governments doing little to plan for it doesn’t equal disliking the old. Some struggle to understand the difference though.

Personally I have always had excellent service from NHS doctors. I think the nurses are fantastic too but I don't want to pay for GP appointments..I am not claiming my pension yet,so I pay for my prescriptions and am on a low wage There will be many people over 55 but not pension age,in similar position.

8 to 10 years to get a diagnosis. Speak to anyone who has the diagnosis and they will tell you how they was repeatedly dismissed by drs. What about sepsis up to 20% of cases are missed by drs. I could go on.

People already make demands that are unrealistic.

This is common in other countries and I think we would simply get used to it.

We would adjust our expectations and maybe start to actually appreciate health care and health care professionals a bit more - maybe actually listening to what they say if we're paying for it rather than immediately saying they're wrong because Dr google says otherwise and demanding a second opinion.

Anyway, too late for me now. (and the continuation of free universal healthcare)

So should we become a country that lets the poorest in society go with out medical care because they can not afford to pay to see their GP.Over 60's bodies begin to get many different illnesses, so the cost would add up .The low waged can't always afford to waste £5-£10, they need it for food or bills.We will have sick people,in pain, suffering in silence because they just can't afford to pay each time to see a GP .I think some people just don't want to see old people getting something for free, they just don't like the old really

It would change the whole dynamic, with people ceasing to think of themselves as patients and instead as paying customers - even if the amount they contribute is only a fraction of the true cost.

People would demand much better healthcare - maybe to an unrealistic level - and on their own terms. Demands on GP surgery staff would increase sharply and people would refuse to be fobbed off or asked to keep coming back another time.

People would also be much more selective about whether they go to the GP or not, BUT not based on the right reasons. A millionaire with an annoying sniffly cold could toddle along without thinking twice; whereas a very poor person who fears they may have cancer, or diabetes, or meningitis - or maybe more likely has symptoms of this that they don't appreciate the severity of - could put off getting it checked out, and it could well end up too late for them.

Given that endometriosis is often asymptomatic or symptoms are at the end of normal menstrual symptoms it is not surprising that it takes a while to recognise.

So many flaws to this idea. There are many people who cannot afford to spend money on lattes and cappuccinos who would also be unable to afford to go to see the doctor when they need to. I have a chronic pain condition, it has taken me years and multiple appointments to even get a GP to listen to me and work to get pain medication sorted let alone any sort of diagnosis. As I go through menopause I will need regular appointments to help me avoid a higher risk of osteoporosis due to a genetic condition. Should I have to pay more than other women. GPs can be valuable in helping people identify and leave abusive relationships, what if that £5 charge per appointment is noticed by the abuser?

I don't think so you hear stories everyday of people dying after being dismissed by drs. But even on a less extreme end of things How long on average is it to get a diagnosis for endometriosis?

I don't think it would work. I used to work in a pharmacy in a fairly average area. The majority of our customers didn't pay for their prescriptions. The ones that did pay were only occasionally getting medication.

I'm assuming that the exceptions for not having to pay for appointments would be the same or similar to the current exceptions for prescriptions. I think it's mostly elderly people, young children and pregnant women who visit our GP surgery. They would be exempt from paying. Most of the people who would pay would also very rarely visit the dr surgery.

Again the vast majority of pensioners will not have paid enough tax for state pension & healthcare you can add education to that too. What about the above is confusing?

@youalright You appear to be extraordinarily unlucky in that case.

Hence why I don’t understand free prescriptions.

I don't think they'll be many wasted but what probably does happen, people get through at 8am, put on a call back list and miss the call back with work or just not hear the phone.

It would still mean that ultimately, having a disability or chronic health condition etc would just become more expensive.

In Australia it's possible to get a free GP appointment but they are not easy to get. It's called bulk billing and most GP's don't do it unless you have a concession card (eg: pensioner).
For me, I am out of pocket over AUD$50 (roughly £25) to see the GP now.
It's a slippery slope as it will then be open to price increases in future. Plus, I suspect they would argue the additional admin and costs to take payment would exceed £5, so prices might start at 10 and go up from there.
In Australia, Medicare (NHS equivalent) sets what they will pay the GP for each service, then the GP sets the price they charge their patients, so costs vary depending on your GP practice.
No system is perfect unfortunately. On the flip side I can choose my GP and it's easy to get an appointment. I have no idea how the cost to the government compares between UK & Australia.

Well i could name a good 5 or 6 times this has happened to just me. And im sure im not the only one that its happened to and not non specific diagnosis actual diagnosis. For e.g. i was told my pulmonary embolism was anxiety and sent away then nearly died.

@youalright no, I don't think so. A tiny proportion maybe will find some non specific diagnosis of elimination simply due to their persistence.

But it's never that simple and you always end up with vulnerable people falling through the cracks.

What's the point in having a wonderful-in-principle healthcare system that's nearly free at the point of use, except for prescriptions, eyes and teeth?

Why don't they say that people with a surname beginning with A-T get free treatment, but the rest have to pay? It makes about as much sense.

Why should a very poor person have to do without essential prescriptions or suffer constant debilitating dental pain for lack of funds; whilst a wealthy person who breaks their leg skiing gets all of their treatment free?

To clarify, I'm not saying the skier shouldn't get it free; but such arbitrary rules are so unfair and will inevitably hit the most vulnerable people most.

You do realise a significant percentage of these people you think are abusing the system will likely find out the reason for there problem later down the line and the delay in diagnosis is due to medical staff like you who have this attitude.

There have always been 'health anxious' but Dr google has definitely allowed their proliferation.

There is also increasing litigation and lack of tolerance for uncertainty/ the understanding that diagnosis is 'best guess with the given information'

I agree people are becoming very self centred but surely there have always been hypercondriacs?

@Oldgreeneyedone Neither - just work in the NHS and have many many many years of seeing how it is abused and by whom.

People have become ridiculously entitled and seem to think that every tiny twinge and ache must be seen and investigated immediately.

People need to do what they can to help themselves before they demand help from others - in all parts of life.