The NHS. We need to fight to keep it.

If people are on benefits, etc, they will be exempt.

So many people here commenting on how we need a co-pay system. What if you can’t afford the co-pay?

Hard agree. I’m finding some GPs are obstructive. I only managed to get referred to gynaecology because I presented myself to A&E and basically refused to be fobbed off the way GPs have done regarding my periods for years.

Past performance is the best indicator of future performance. It needs reform certainly - to be reformed into a co-pay scheme. I'm not prepared to invest a penny more into the present system.

What levels of money before austerity? The NHS has received more every year. Notwithstanding the fact that post the 2008 financial crisis, the NHS was becoming critical due to the encouraged growth of PFI which stored up future debt despite making everything bright and shiny and the introduction of an additional layer of bureaucracy due to the introudction of PCTs.

NHS birth 1994, I had a botched birth and prolapsed bladder - once my family was complete in 1998 - the NHS refused to deal with the prolapse. Labour government.

1995 DS needed grommets - not available

1998 DD needed grommets - not available

2015 DD was very unwell: eating, cutting, o'ding, anxiety, depression. CAMHS declined to help her and proved themselves to be the mo
st toxic, dysfunctional, dishonest, badly run and managed entity I have ever come across, filled with the rudest and most lazy NHS staff I have ever encounterered. DD rexovered because with a combination of BUPA and personal funds she got the care she needes. It was about £20k, £8k from my pocket. Without money, I'd have had to give up work to keep her safe whoch would have led to less tax going into the coffers. What the fuck do poor people do?

I could go on and on. The care is poor, the communication is poor, it's badly organised, there is no dignity, staff are rude too often.

A lot of what you think is NHS, is actually private health care.

I don't agree we should be putting more money into it. It's huge and horribly inefficient, the money would be wasted. Before we gave up and went private, DS had a hospital blood test (due to his age). 1 letter with the original time and link to a website to change it. I got another 3 letters all posted separately about the change I'd made, 2 of them posted on and arriving on the same.
In Germany, prices are set nationally that providers are allowed to charge for anything (which are paid for by insurance) and what the country pays for medications is negotiated at a national level, just like the NHS. However, hospitals etc are usually separate not for profits /private. They are so so much more efficient, e.g. consultants can send you for X-rays and blood tests immediately rather than it needing separate bookings (and letters) and a separate visit.

I am almost a year post gynae referral. All I have had is a text from the hospital asking if I still want an appointment. Of course I want my appointment. I am in pain and my quality of life is affected. I have no idea if or when this appointment will materialise or who to contact to find out.

How much more does it need? We spend a lot on it plus welfare.

We don’t have great behaviours in terms of health and it shows, so maybe a system needs to drive that more.

Plus the created for a different time mentioned by pp.

Do you have any understanding or experience of public healthcare in France, Germany, Denmark, Norway @Differentforgirls ? There are better models than the NHS.

It’s awful and not fit for purpose at times. It can be great at other times. But, it needs total reform - and no party seems brave enough to take the “sacred cow” on. 🙄

I think it is a mixed bag.
A relative of mine has been waiting 2 years to get treatment for a debilitating condition.
I think it needs a serious shake up. It should not be a free for all.
I agree that no politician wants to deal with the fallout.

Not all of them. One issue is failing to adapt culturally to changes and medical advances.

Lots of midwives are completing the degree then quitting because of lack of support from experienced staff.

That’s an incredibly narrow view though.

I have several friends working in the NHS and one issue they highlight is poor staff attitude and the NHS structure not being fit for new medical advances and the fact that it keeps catering for more complex health needs. It was designed for post-war time, not today’s society. Yes budget is a part of it but not the only cause.

Did you or your MIL want to pay more taxes OP, or is this something you expect someone else to do.

If we vote for parties that want to invest in it that means increasing taxes to pay for it-and I don’t think there’s the appetite to do that
I’m not sure it’s a viable option in its current form

A key reason it’s like gone downhill is that it was started in the 1940s when life was totally different and population was smaller and healthcare wasn’t as advanced. It was not designed for what today’s society is and hasn’t been able to keep up with it.