Would you pay to see the doctor?

[justasking111]

The IMF has said that the government will need to raise taxes. One way is NHS charges. This will be means tested I should add. It's being covered in the financial times, telegraph and others but hidden behind a pay wall. I don't know how to archive, if anyone else does please do.

I don't know which one I would choose, it's a thorny problem.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/07/25/raise-taxes-working-people-charge-for-nhs-imf/

I am not sure its GPs and cant read the article. If it is gps not sure it would help as GPs are contractors and not a part of the NHS.

I think it has to happen. Even the moderately well off in my area are choosing to go private, so if we continue the road we're on we'll have a two-tier system where anyone other than the desperately poor (and maybe also young and healthy who are happy to take their chances) are getting superior, private care - and the most in need are lucky if they get treated at all. Kinda like pre-Obamacare America.

@justasking111 not in favour of tax rises. If they looked and were honest and removed needles spending within the NHS and removed the triple lock that will get them some of the money they need.

It’s tricky. Most countries have some of co-pay, or a percentage billed as an out-of-pocket expense, but Brits just aren’t used to this and many (most?) would probably object.

I think increased taxation, especially for those earning more than, say, £80k, is probably fairer and easier to administer.

I have an incredible NHS GP. E-Consult only, and I've never waited more than 24 hours for a reply. If I need an appointment, I'm usually seen that day.

I'd absolutely pay for it - I do sometimes use a private GP anyway if I need something sorting urgently.

I do worry though, that while it'll definitely stop people wasting GPs time, those who don't pass the means test but are still on the breadline will end up not getting treatment/investigations carried out on time. You'll probably get a load more people going to A&E, too.

No I don’t think people should pay. It creates a two tier system where people who can afford it go whenever they need and others can’t afford it or have to ration appointments. This could actually lead to more pressure on the NHS if their conditions become more serious.

It also disadvantages disabled people and those with chronic illnesses. My DH goes to the doctor once in a blue moon - affordable if he needs to go. I have to go multiple times a month, and currently am on two waiting lists, and under the care of one secondary service.

I also already have to pay a lot out and am financially disadvantaged because of my poor health. I already see one consultant privately as I was completely failed by the NHS. I also pay for some medication privately plus blood tests. I have signed up to beneden health recently as am concerned about waiting lists, and we are going to go ahead with my husbands private healthcare scheme at a cost of around £100 pcm when it next opens.. I also have a lot of over the counter medication, creams and lotions and supplements that I have to pay for. Plus things like insoles for my ankle issues, and a ton of things I am forgetting about. It’s in the hundreds every month.

Also on top of that I am unable to work due to my health conditions currently. All my Pre-existing conditions won’t be covered by my husband‘s healthcare , the main reason we’re getting it is because we’re just concerned that he’s our only income source, is getting older, and if he gets sick and waiting lists continue to be long, we will be in trouble. We are really vulnerable financially.

So no this is just another tax on the sick and disabled, and would create a two tier system for a huge section of the U.K. population who are already struggling.. It would be fairer to raise taxes across the board. If they means test it, it also means means tested benefit claimants won’t pay, which will lead those struggling and earning just over the limits for help even more frustrated which will create further division.

It’s a terrible plan; labour should never have cut themselves off at the knees by saying they won’t raise taxes. We will be hit by that as well (and as a disabled person we are disadvantaged tax wise as only one of us can work - we will pay more tax than another could with both working and the same income), but it’s a fairer way of doing it - divide it amongst everyone, richest paying the most.

imo labour also need to seriously consider a wealth tax on the super rich. We need to do something to correct the huge wealth gap that’s growing year on year.

I probably could afford to, however DH and me have a combined 69 years NHS service between us and I don’t feel that we should pay for private medical services. I feel we’ve done our duty although we have paid for private scans etc when the NHS list has been too long - been pissed off about it but what can you do?

I live in Australia, GPs here are all private. There is a government rebate for seeing the GP and until the last few years, lots of GP's would only charge the rebate (especially for kids, elderly, unemployed, pregnancy etc) so it was essentially free. However, since covid and the COL crisis, the vast majority are now charging a significant co-payment for most people. I pay roughly £60 per appointment and then get a £25 refund from the government. I can usually get an appointment fairly quickly and each appointment is 15 mins so I dont feel too rushed but as a former NHS front line worker, I feel that it is a very unfair system which prohibits people on lower incomes from accessing services. I would be interested to know if there has been an impact on A&E attendances since co-payments became a regular thing, as I would assume more people would present there for minor things to avoid the payment.

Yet if we arrive by boat we get seen straight away for free before those of us who pay the taxes etc that run the health service can and ditto dentists. No. Sort out immigration and then maybe.

I wouldn't mind a nominal fee for a GP appointment eg £25. Rather like NHS dentist appointments. I do think people who fail to show for an appointment and don't cancel with 48 hours notice should have to pay £100 for wasted time.

Yes I would. I think everyone paying about a £10 (means tested) would be absolutely reasonable.
I would not exclude children or the elderly unless on income related benefits. There are already too many people excluded for paying for prescriptions.

I think tht it's a wonderful idea. So if you are on benefits and get everything else paid for, then obviously you should also get free healthcare treatment while the rest of us work to pay for it. It seems only fair. In fact, here, have the clothes off our backs whilst you're at it!!
Seriously though, I wouldn't object to paying a small drs fee, provided that the government first overhauls the benefits system. It is most certainly open to abuse. Both families I know on benefits are completely taking the piss. So until Labour actually reduces expenditure and waste, then I would be extremely cross at paying a penny more.

I've just read this link (below) after reading this thread

Frankly I don't recognise the NHS I use in many of these 7 key principles

So why not shake up the system and try to improve it?

I'd definitely pay to see my favourite GP who I can NEVER ever see any longer (she's doing a LOT more private work)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

Edit to clarify that her private work is very niche and isn't GP related

They should charge for missed appointments and those who show up drunk at A&E on a Friday and Saturday night.

Yes - in Australia it’s pretty much a given I had an appointment on Thursday I paid AUD$110 and Medicare ( govt) gave back $44) I had zero wait time and a good knowledge patient Dr. the times I’ve done bulk- billing ( where you don’t pay) I’ve waited hours and felt like fast food in and out within minutes.

Yes I would, and I absolutely think we should.

Where I live, I do pay to see the doctor, with some return from health insurance.

I still go, including for my preventative health checks.

My parents who are both in their eighties also have health insurance, (and no money worries!). My Dad does go to the doctor including annual health checks, his view is “and why wouldn’t I?”. My mother doesn’t see herself “as that type of person” and doesn’t even get the flu vaccine now.

Yes but my standards would be significantly higher id expect my appointment to be on time, for the dr to actually listen to me , not to be rushed, not to be spoken to like shit, to be given an appointment at my convience and if im misdiagnosed id want a refund, id also expect to pay less Ni

The problem with missed appointments its not that simple. Iv had letters for appointments come through after my appointment. And what do you class as a missed appointment if im given a 10 am telephone appointment but the doctor doesnt call until 4pm who actually missed the appointment as I made myself available at 10 and they didn't call

The last thing we need is for some to pay for a GP appointment and some not. Jesus Christ entitled chaos would unfold.

It’s The Telegraph a Tory supporting paper, the Tory-Libdems brought in the triple lock, only 13 years ago, and now they want nasty Labour to take it away? Wonder why? So the Tory’s can rise from their small pile of ashes? Because even The Telegraph know Reform would be a fucking disaster in charge!

Communicated right, taking hearts and minds with you etc, turning triple lock into an average of the three measures not the highest might work.

And make prescriptions free from state pension age not 60.

The problem is the nhs dont have a money problem they have a management problem. I dont see how extra funding will help. They waste a lot of money.

Yes. And we do already pay for health insurance and consultations privately due to poor NHS provision and pay again through our NI contributions. We already have a 2 tier system.

Yes I would but I have lived in countries where this happens. I'd also be happy with higher taxes.

They missed off scrapping Trident and spending less on war.

Yes

No because healthcare should be free. Once you start charging it's a slippery slope. First it will be under £20 and then they'll have to put the price up and soon you'll be making decisions to ignore issues because you don't want to fork out the cash.

I also think all it does is increase litigation. If you pay and your doctor has given you crap advice, overlooks something, then I think you are far more likely to challenge them legally.

We will be the US in no time.