NHS now saying stuff is free.

And who are these millions ?

My experience has been different.

This is what our trust are doing now. I already had the NHS app and the introduction of Patient Portal in our area now means you can opt out of paper letters and have appointment notifications sent directly to the app. There is also a facility to confirm or decline attendance and cancel/request another appointment, which I’ve used very successfully on a few occasions.

Obviously we all pay towards the NHS

We don’t.

There are millions who use it without making a contribution.

I would hope that’s the case - the arrogance is unbelievable. As I said upthread, I think the language used in these letters tries to keep it simple and understandable for all levels of understanding. The use of the word ‘free’ may be the difference between someone attending the service or binning the letter thinking they have to pay.

One of the NHS future priorities is analogue to digital so hopefully better digital systems will be put in so that delayed letters will be a thing of the past. It does require population using the NHS (who are more elderly, disabled and digitally excluded than Mumsnet users) to be able to navigate such online systems and apps which many can’t yet do.
Is there not an option to opt out of paper letters if you prefer the app or email? Our Trust is going to email default and you can only have a paper letter if you specify it now. Saves a lot of trees.

This has been my experience too. Even during the pandemic, I received a timely diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and commenced treatment within a few weeks. A lot of the consultations were by phone or video call, but in general it was fine. I’ll probably get flamed for this but I do think some folk just like to complain.

Not in my experience. I have multiple, significant health conditions, including congenital disability and latterly breast cancer. I haven’t experienced a significant wait for treatment for any of them, including surgeries. Not saying the waiting lists aren’t significant in some areas but I don’t think a sweeping generalisation that the health service is crap, as you seem to be suggesting, is appropriate for all.

It isn’t genuflecting acceptance. It’s never having had any reason to complain. There’s a difference. And European health services generally attract much more by way of spending than our NHS, as well as some services attracting payment upfront. If that were applied to mammograms and other life saving screening it would create a two tier system and those who couldn’t afford it would be in trouble.

The NHS routinely check that you will attend an appointment, because not doing so costs money and a timely cancellation can offer an appointment to another patient. I have the NHS app and in many areas the NHS are offering patient portal services. Both offer the facility to receive hospital appointments directly and enable online confirmation.

Obviously we all pay towards the NHS but the point is , it’s free at the point of delivery, you don’t have to get your credit card or insurance policy out before the ambulance can pick you up or prove you can afford the hip replacement and subsequent rehabilitation or even pay to repair to fix the botched surgery that wasn’t free. Sometimes it’s also good to know that these screening services are there and offered, I’ve just had one for triple a screening, didn’t know they did it but not going to turn something down that could potentially save my life

I take your point but wish they would manage their resources better. I've recently had three letters for the same appointment, which is also in the app. And don't get me started on EDI directors.

Only yesterday I missed a call from my local hospital. The caller did not leave their name or what it was about. They were checking I'd go for bloods before an infusion. The bloods are booked on their system - it isn't rocket science to expect them to check the system. I called back, the person who answered had to find put who had called and ring me back. The inefficiency is unspeakable.

I think the NHS probably has higher priorities to allocate resources to than replying to such letters.

IME these letters/emails are worded so that all levels of competence can understand them. The word ‘free’ is what stops a lot of people binning or ignoring these communications because, as mentioned ad nauseam upthread, many of these services are contracted out by the NHS to private companies, and at first glance appear to be offering private medicine.

I agree with this. My recent invitation for a breast screening contained the same language. I wrote to the sender and politely noted that the screening service was not free but free at the point of delivery having been centrally funded by taxation. I asked if they would reconsider the language used. I didn't get a reply.

However there was a booking link which allowed me to make an appointment at my convenience. I chose a local hospotal which never used to be an option and it was a much more professional, confidential and dignified experience than I had previously encountered in the mobile vans. Therefore I left a five star review.

I do think the association between "free" and sub standard services for which wenare expected to be grateful needs to be addressed. The NHS is not free and to imply otherwise is dishonest.

I’m grateful for my ‘free’ mammogram. I had no idea I had an advanced breast cancer until I was screened. Without it I’d be dead. And I guarantee you that everyone posting in the same way as you have here would feel differently if it happened to them.

I see so much criticism of services on MN that I don’t hear in real life when it comes to mammogram. Everything from not wanting a male radiographer , embarrassment at being uncovered, to complaints as to why they have to flatten your boobs to do the scan. When you receive a cancer diagnosis, all of those complaints suddenly disappear and are replaced by one overwhelming thought - Is this going to kill me ? Now we have the non issue of the scan being described as ‘free’. Which it is, at the point of delivery, as with every other NHS provision.

Totally agree. MN is ultra hypocritical at times. You only have to look at any thread discussing benefits to see them being described as ‘free handouts’ when in fact they are paid for from NI/taxation in the same way as NHS treatment which people on this thread are saying is not ‘free’ because we all pay for it out of taxation. Well you can’t have it both ways, so which is it ?

Couldn’t agree more. My cancer was diagnosed as a result of routine screening. I had a call back letter within two days and an appointment within five days of the original mammogram. Saw a consultant a week later and was on a treatment program and monitored every month on tumour shrinking medication until surgery later that year. Have been monitored regularly ever since and now have regular yearly mammograms as well as a full body CT to check for spread of the original tumour. I couldn’t fault the staff or the treatment, and I’m very grateful the screening service is on offer because without it, I would undoubtedly be dead by now.

'Fall for it'?
I received life saving treatment. It was free at the point of delivery. I'd be dead without it.
Not one member of NHS staff ever implied I should be grateful for treatment. Not one. Instead they were caring & compassionate about how shit having cancer is. They made every hospital visit as good as it could be.
No one would suggest the NHS is without problems, but it is important to acknowledge positive experiences.

This thread is about a complete non-issue. Using the word 'free' to describe a service that is free at the point of delivery is not something to worry about

I’ve been in and out of hospital at least twice a year for surgeries and treatments due to congenital spinal disability. The latest was for a breast cancer diagnosis. Sorry but I don’t find great treatment the exception rather than the norm, and speaking specifically of the cancer diagnosis and treatment, I doubt I would have received a higher standard of treatment anywhere. I realise of course, that everyone has their own experience but sweeping generalisations like this aren’t helpful.

And the use of ‘free’ isn’t necessarily incorrect. As has been pointed out several times, in different areas of the country, services like mammogram and bowel cancer screening are carried out by private companies contracted to the NHS. I have received two recently, and both have made it clear that the service offered is part of the NHS and free at the point of delivery.

Odd. Two of us have experienced the same thing. A cancer diagnosis shows the NHS at its absolute best.

Good for you, but this is an exception rather than the norm for the NHS.

And the thread was about the incorrect use of ‘free’ which is there to make service users feel gratitude and make them less likely to complain about bad service. It’s sad so many posters fall for it.

When I went to the gp with suspected breast cancer I was referred and seen by a specialist diagnostic team for a full raft of tests within 2 weeks. My treatment was actioned immediately on diagnosis. There are waits for elective surgery. People with life threatening illnesses are seen quickly. I received prompt lifesaving treatment free at the point of delivery by caing staff.

I value the NHS. There are issues, but healthcare that is free at the point at delivery and available to all is precious.

This thread is about a complete non-issue. Someone didnt like the use of the word 'free' (i wish this was the biggest problem in my life) and had a screening appointment in an inconvenient location. A simple phone call moved it. There was no problem. The fact is that all women can access free screening here. That isnt the case in all countries. It is a good thing.

This is said about the 30 hours childcare for under 5’s! It really yanks my chain! It’s not free it’s funded! And quite frankly it’s not funded properly!!

The first example of waste on that Kings article is waste of medicines ie people not taking what they are prescribed which is substantially
the fault of the end user.

The 2nd and 3rd are energy and single use PPE. The only one even vaguely in control of individual clinicians or even middle managers is the PPE. The energy is down to lack of infrastructure investment and old buildings.

The steak is more like you paid £50 expecting steak, actually got some roast chicken and so did the homeless guy begging outside.