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Original poster

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

412 replies

Babybear260 · 20/11/2025 23:13

I’m no economist or politician but it occurred to be that if everyone (or the majority of the populn excluding students, under 18,s , pensioners and very low income households) paid, I don’t know ~£5 every time they saw a GP, could that improve the NHS?

I know many, many people that spend twice that a week on lattes and cappuccinos (including myself) so I wonder whether if the majority of the population could stump £5 per appointment it would help?? Because most people aren’t seeing GP’s weekly so surely people wouldn’t mind contributing?

sure people have thought of this before and there must be a reason why it wouldn’t work because obviously if if did, it would be an option.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 23:07

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:59

Unless you’re a drone worker …how do they get to save all the benefits money when all money goes on cost of living?

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Some people are very good at budgeting and manage to save a little, when they get very little.
No one is saving "all of their benefits". It still goes on bills etc. I am still struggling to see what point you are trying to make.

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 23:04

ThreeSixtyTwo · 22/11/2025 23:01

The system when those who can afford it pay a bit more to the healthcare pot is caused taxes&national insurance.

You'd be just duplicating the same system.

how much is “a bit more”!

ThreeSixtyTwo · 22/11/2025 23:01

The system when those who can afford it pay a bit more to the healthcare pot is caused taxes&national insurance.

You'd be just duplicating the same system.

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:59

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 22:42

What are you on about?
People on UC are allowed to have up to £6k before it affects their payments, and £16k before it stops entirely.
I am not sure what sort of point you are trying to make here. Do you think people on UC should have nothing at all?

If you are on UC and work, there is a savings scheme run by the Government called Help To Save. Everyone should have some savings.

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Unless you’re a drone worker …how do they get to save all the benefits money when all money goes on cost of living?

Kellogggs · 22/11/2025 22:43

No please, please don't encourage this idea.

The poorest would, rightly, be still entitled to free appointments but the squeezed middle would be the ones to suffer.

I wholeheartedly agree that no-shows should be fined.

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 22:42

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:38

So of course you’re happy someone with £4995 in the bank gets equal state benefits to you and doesn’t have to work!

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What are you on about?
People on UC are allowed to have up to £6k before it affects their payments, and £16k before it stops entirely.
I am not sure what sort of point you are trying to make here. Do you think people on UC should have nothing at all?

If you are on UC and work, there is a savings scheme run by the Government called Help To Save. Everyone should have some savings.

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:38

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 22:21

I am on UC. The most I have ever had has been £5500, and that was because I sold a vehicle I could no longer use. I was not able to save that amount by just cutting back on things.

Nowadays I am overdrawn two weeks after being paid, and it so hard to get out of that.

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So of course you’re happy someone with £4995 in the bank gets equal state benefits to you and doesn’t have to work!

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 22:21

Kirbert2 · 22/11/2025 22:09

You keep throwing out ''£10k in savings'' like it is the norm for people on UC to have those savings. It may be allowed but it doesn't mean that it is common.

If it makes you feel better, I'm on UC and don't have any savings.

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I am on UC. The most I have ever had has been £5500, and that was because I sold a vehicle I could no longer use. I was not able to save that amount by just cutting back on things.

Nowadays I am overdrawn two weeks after being paid, and it so hard to get out of that.

Kirbert2 · 22/11/2025 22:11

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:10

If it makes you feel better, I work full time, dont get uc, also don’t have any savings

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Which is also the case for many people on UC.

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:10

Kirbert2 · 22/11/2025 22:09

You keep throwing out ''£10k in savings'' like it is the norm for people on UC to have those savings. It may be allowed but it doesn't mean that it is common.

If it makes you feel better, I'm on UC and don't have any savings.

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If it makes you feel better, I work full time, dont get uc, also don’t have any savings

Kirbert2 · 22/11/2025 22:09

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:06

EVERYONE?!

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You keep throwing out ''£10k in savings'' like it is the norm for people on UC to have those savings. It may be allowed but it doesn't mean that it is common.

If it makes you feel better, I'm on UC and don't have any savings.

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:06

Kirbert2 · 22/11/2025 22:02

Why are you acting like everyone on UC has thousands in savings?

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EVERYONE?!

Letloose2024 · 22/11/2025 22:05

Oh right, could we then insist on firm diagnosis results?

not a maybe.

happy to pay for liposuction - it may have stopped an infection?

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 22:04

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 21:59

Start a Gov petition. You clearly have a bee in your bonnet about anyone on UC being in the black on their bank account.

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Well yes, when some have never worked or contributed but those slogging away on low wages or min wage contracts and not entitled to anything are having to choose to heat or eat. Lucky and entitled sods of course! How privileged they are!

Kirbert2 · 22/11/2025 22:02

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 21:57

Wouldn’t say having £10k or more in savings is penniless..?

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Why are you acting like everyone on UC has thousands in savings?

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 21:59

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 21:57

Wouldn’t say having £10k or more in savings is penniless..?

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Start a Gov petition. You clearly have a bee in your bonnet about anyone on UC being in the black on their bank account.

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 21:58

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 21:56

Completely agree, people would ask why they were paying through their wages and then being asked to pay again, when those who’d never contributed through earnings were again getting a free ride!

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Anyone on under about £41k has never contributed enough via earnings. That includes nurses.

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 21:57

Timeforabitofpeace · 22/11/2025 21:54

Of course they’re penniless. How silly. That is why they are able to claim universal credit. They don’t earn enough to live without it.

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Wouldn’t say having £10k or more in savings is penniless..?

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 21:56

Timeforabitofpeace · 22/11/2025 21:54

Of course they’re penniless. How silly. That is why they are able to claim universal credit. They don’t earn enough to live without it.

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Yep, I will tell the people on UC that go to food banks that they are raking it in.
I was on less than £400pm when I started my claim. It was a horrible time.

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 21:56

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 21:50

I don't think anyone would donate though. People would ask what they are paying NI/tax for if they have to donate too.

The NHS is not a charity. And the NHS affiliated charities already have means you can donate money to them.

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Completely agree, people would ask why they were paying through their wages and then being asked to pay again, when those who’d never contributed through earnings were again getting a free ride!

Timeforabitofpeace · 22/11/2025 21:54

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 21:49

Agree and destroying the myth those on benefits are penniless..

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Of course they’re penniless. How silly. That is why they are able to claim universal credit. They don’t earn enough to live without it.

paddleboardingmum · 22/11/2025 21:53

I'd be interested to see if people did donate, if they had a voluntary system and made it clear it was voluntary to help support the NHS. I think quite a few would.

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 21:50

paddleboardingmum · 22/11/2025 21:46

I think nowadays people who can afford it are using the private GP, which is about £70-80?

I've always thought they should have a voluntary donation option, at the GP and A&E, where if you want to you can pay £1, £5, £10 when you book/turn up. Why not?

I don't think anyone would donate though. People would ask what they are paying NI/tax for if they have to donate too.

The NHS is not a charity. And the NHS affiliated charities already have means you can donate money to them.

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 22/11/2025 21:49

XenoBitch · 22/11/2025 21:45

40% of people on UC are working.

But this is just derailing the thread.

Agree and destroying the myth those on benefits are penniless..

paddleboardingmum · 22/11/2025 21:46

I think nowadays people who can afford it are using the private GP, which is about £70-80?

I've always thought they should have a voluntary donation option, at the GP and A&E, where if you want to you can pay £1, £5, £10 when you book/turn up. Why not?