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

No - that’s why exemption certificates apply?

Can they afford any prescriptions they need?

I'd largely agree with you, except our current system isn't working. Not enough appointments and treatment is a postcode lottery. I believe there should be an exemption/ discount for chronic conditions and birth control.

And I do work btw and already pay higher rate tax

I have a chronic condition
It gets expensive quickly

We have this system in jersey. £40 thereabouts for an appointment at my gp (there are cheaper but harder to get appt) then you pay for prescriptions only for them to be written, costs for blood test, hospital referral etc

Hospital treatment is free.

It does tend to mean it's easier to get an appt however people do tend to wait until they are definitely ill before booking. There is a subsidy for those on income support

How does this work for those with chronic conditions? Until recently I rarely saw a gp but have been diagnosed with a heart irregularity so have seen them not this year than in the prior decade, I would also see my GP less if they ordered the correct blood tests the first time. So when I have to go back again because they realise they've missed one again do I have to pay again? What about pill checks, smear tests? Another tax on women?

I have 14 meds that I take on a daily basis. So that would mean I pay £14 every time I have to reorder?

Then anything acute is another charge?

I don't know if anyone else on here has been through trying different medicines until you find one you can tolerate or don't react to. I have, at the time I was working and the prescription charges do add up.

Two more points:

This would disadvantage women.

We go to the GP for contraception, problems with periods and various other 'female' health care.

The other is that overprescribing and hoarding of pills would get worse. When you see the GP and are prescribed something the GP will prescribe more, maybe 3 months' supply rather than a single month.

That was a disgusting thing to say and you should be ashamed of yourself and your behaviour on this thread.

No one is telling you you are lucky to have a long work week, how bloody absurd. But if you're not chronically ill or disabled, yes you absolutely should count your blessings for that. And if people are getting the impression you resent the chronically ill/disabled, gee, I wonder where they got that impression?!

I'd be fascinated to know how you do expect those who are too unwell to work, and have to use the NHS a lot, to actually survive, because so far there hasn't been a single constructive suggestion from you on this thread.

I personally support affordable healthcare over free healthcare. There should be an annual cap that health care can cost, if you can't afford it then social services/benefits office would assist. Same with medicine. I also would support NHS paying a small fee towards the usage of private GP so those who could afford it would have an incentive to do so.

In Ireland those with chronic conditions are covered under the Discretionary Medical Card, long term illness scheme and chronic disease management programme.

While it is expensive to visit the GP I would definitely choose this system over the current NHS as in my experience appointments etc are quicker and health outcomes are currently better than in the UK. That's saying a lot because the Irish system is far from perfect and I used to think the NHS was an ideal.

But I do understand when something has always been free people struggle to accept paying for it or new/different ways of claiming it. When the Irish govt tried to introduce water charges there was uproar and they had to roll back on it.

Disagree with this idea, as it would just penalise people with ongoing health issues, that need to see their GP regularly, particularly those with longterm health conditions, but aren't on benefits. However, would be in favour of a system where people could be charged for missing an appointment (without good reason).

In Ireland smears, screenings, childhood vaccinations, flu/covid vaccinations for at risk groups etc are all free and massively encouraged. There is a big emphasis on preventative medicine. GP appointments for children, pregnancy and over 75s are free. Those under a certain income threshold would also qualify for free GP appointments/medical care. Everyone else usually has health insurance.

We pay for three yearly smears, but the nurse fee not the GP fee. Mammograms, Covid and child vaccinations are free, flu vaccinations are free for over 65s and people with qualifying health conditions.

I've yet to see any sign that the UK is any more "civilised" than any other country. Are you telling me that every single person in the UK has instant access to top quality healthcare at any hour of the day or night, because if so I don't believe you. Half of MN can't seem to get a GP appointment at all.

No, awful idea.
Sometimes "just a fiver" can seem like a lot of money, and you don't just have it spare. Anyone struggling for money might put off seeing the doctor, or carry on thinking "nah, I'm not that bad, I'm ok" when they don't realise that yes, actually, their symptoms need looking at and treating and could be serious.

In a paid system, what normally happens about things like routine screening appointments? Things like mammograms, cervical smears, etc. Also routine vaccinations such as Covid, Flu etc, childhood vaccinations. Do people pay for those? If so does it negatively impact take up rates?

In Ireland we pay for GP appointments ( free for children, over 70s, pregnancy appointments). If you earn below a certain amount you qualify for free care also.
I have health insurance, paid through my work.
I recently had a condition which involved consultants appointments and a small operation. All done under my health insurance, consultants appointment within 1 week and surgery within 3 weeks. I am in a facebook group with people in the UK who have the same condition. Most waiting months for a consultants appointment and years for surgery, waiting in pain. I was so grateful to be in Ireland and have my private health insurance.
It's far from perfect though but it is gradually improving and I think health outcomes in Ireland are now better than the UK.

That's an ultra right wing perspective that just a small amount of study of the history of the welfare state will hopefully cure you of

Civilised not 'special

OMG they make you jump through hoops to get an appointment, the annual asthma check up is a phonecall, if you need a letter to confirm medical conditions for exam arrangements they charge £15. Nope, I don't think I should pay for an appointment I only make when I need to.

And yet somehow it seems to work in so many other countries. Just another example of how the British are so "special" I suppose.

The most I ever had was £8k when I had DLA, UC disabled child element & UC carers element back paid because it takes so long to go through.

I agree.
I think the point is that charging a small amount would deter time wasters and DNAs.