NHS now saying stuff is free.

You said you'd be embarrassed if you were me. I advised you not to be. Political ignorance is quite different from not caring about that which is irrelevant.

And why do you think private hospitals transfer complicated cases of all kinds to the NHS? Because ITU care costs a fortune and is unaffordable for private healthcare providers.

It’s not ignorance anyway. If you want private maternity care it’s available, you may have to travel to access it.

Still not true.

If you have a baby or you have serious complications at the Portland you will still be transferred to an NHS hospital because they don't have the ability to cope with such cases.

Nice try but this ignorance shows up a problem of saying 'oh well you have a choice'.

No you do not. We do not have comprehensive private healthcare in the UK.

What’s that got to do with political ignorance?

You're not, though, but thanks for the concern. Don't look at me in my local or you'll be absolutely affronted, especially if it's karaoke night on a Friday.

Actually, the OP contacted the hospital only to change the appointment. They just raised the issue of the wording on here for discussion; or this is as much as her posts state.

Essentially, any communication needs to be clear to achieve its intended objective. This one evidently isn’t. As you can see on here, everyone has their own interpretation of why that piece of information is included, what the motivation is, what the meaning is. If a letter is provoking discussions that are not relevant to its objectives, then that is distracting and it is not a good communication and PALs/Health watch should know.

Anyone with any interest in UK politics knows who Tice is. I’d be embarrassed if I were you.

Oh, that well known luminary, eh...? We're shaking in our shoes....

Edit for spelling.

It’s a shame that the poster didn’t write to PALS then, instead of writing directly to the service provider with a pathetic nit picking and ill thought through complaint.

Agree. I had quite an advanced breast cancer only found on routine mammogram. Got a call back within two days and from then on it was like a well oiled machine had swung into action. Prompt treatment plan, clear explanations of next stages and what to expect, and support and advice at every stage.

I think part of the problem is that with routine, non urgent conditions the priorities are lower and the wait time is longer, patients tend to get passed around, appointments are cancelled/rearranged etc, so the perception is that the service is below par. I think that’s understandable, but we need to remember that we can only work with what we have and we can’t prioritise everything. In general the UK taxpayer wants excellent service from the NHS at all levels, but doesn’t want to pay what that will actually cost.

No shit Sherlock. Of course we know that. But in this day and age all kinds of things drop through your letterbox from private healthcare companies offering various screenings at a cost.. There is also the really arrogant assumption that everyone who receives these letters will have the same level of comprehension. The use of the word ‘free’ simply distinguishes NHS treatment and makes it clear that there is no cost to the end user - hopefully improving the uptake of the services offered and ensuring that the letters don’t end up in the bin because people think they have to pay. This is a total non issue.

"Free" and "Chocolate" are the two words that draw readers attention right away "Sex" works too, but not as much.

Jiggle that into an invite for NHS services.

That’s been our experience too. Cancer treatment is the NHS at its stellar best.

This I’m afraid. I’ve had recent treatment for two life threatening illnesses - one of them being cancer. I agree that not all experiences are the same but I couldn’t fault the the speed and efficiency of the treatment and the support I received from the staff involved. I think there are a lot of in appropriate sweeping generalisations here and many posters just jumping on the bandwagon rather than speaking from personal experience, which is a shame. The assumption that everyone has the same level of understanding and the rejection of the notion that the word ‘free’ is to reassure and improve uptake is typical of MN.

feedback by its very nature is based on opinion and perception. This whole thread is about how different people perceive information. A decent service provider will always welcome feedback. The NHS invites feedback via PALs and Healthwatch - the latter you may be interested to know has a report called ‘cervical screening my way’;
there’s a reason the title isn’t ‘get screened and be grateful you fools’. @MixMaxChop hasn’t invented a malicious story or accused a member of staff of something. She’s not gunning for compensation or a dismissal. She has simply shared her thoughts - thoughts that many others agree with.

If the voting public elect Reform, it very soon won't be free whether we've contributed or not and noamount of current NI contributions will be enough to cover insurance. Add to tat we'll all need savings to cover any excess. It's going to be an even bigger shit show that where the Tories have put us.

The trouble with some feedback is that it is based on ignorance.

So go private as opposed to simply offer some feedback? That’s proportionate isn’t it? Good luck with travelling to that private a&e.

It’s ‘free at the point of use.’
We all know it’s paid for by the taxpayer.

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform.

Fartage? Really? What age are you... Who's Tice supposed to be, by the way...?

If you choose private care you can travel to a location where it’s available. I don’t suppose The Portland cares where you live.

This isn't true.

There are lots of things you can't get privately for health in the UK.

Unless you live in the right area (I believe there's now three in England) you simply can't go private for maternity services.

If you don't like the NHS there's no reason you can't choose an alternative. The NHS is funded from general taxation, like education and roads, so you don't personally pay anything for it. I personally object to my taxes paying for grifters like Fartage and Tice but that's the price of living in a democracy.

what makes you think she hasn't