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 do pay to see the doctor, I pay a monthly fee so I can get an appt whenever I want one and not pay for the appt.

I do this because I can't cope with the NHS and I have a dangerous, chronic condition that if I need help with, I need it fast.

I think if it’s not means tested then many won’t afford to go at all and potentially live in pain, die from undiagnosed illnesses etc
However, if those on benefits continue to have free appointments I would be pissed off at having to pay. I’ve worked my whole life and paid into the system. I’ve not got my promised pension. Already had to pay private for essential surgery when nhs waiting list was so long.
Some might say what’s the point of working hard and saving to not only pay for their own healthcare but also that of some that have never worked.
However, I think charges will be introduced as it’s been noted that people are already paying for online appointments with doctors employed by a private company.

I know it’s not the pint of the thread, but after 40 years in the NHS, I’ve personally never known a male medical secretary. Is his secretary a man?

Yes I would.

I am actually already considering how to incorporate private healthcare into my life, as I have minimal faith in the NHS for day-to-day medical care.

In Ireland and we pay sixty euro a visit. In awe that you don’t have to- in the last few years they brought in that children under eight are free. I remember in bad financial times having to come up with 135 euro when two of the kids were sick and the third was coming back second time in a week because he’d gotten worse. I was sick myself but had to not get seen as couldn’t afford it that week. I’d cling onto free gp care if I were you

I would like the Irish child benefit system!

Yes I would pay for a routine GP appointment as long as I could be guaranteed to actually get an appointment, the fee was reasonable and I see someone within a reasonable time frame. But I agree with the poster up thread about needing to see significant improvements in cutting waste and general management to see that the service is run as cost effectively as possible.

Could be means tested rather than free for all pensioners.

What like winter fuel?!

Absolutely agree with this. We need a much better slimline NHS. We are still using outdated methods of booking patients in or making appointments. We have the technology available to cut out so much waste. For exame you see a consultant and they decide you need to see one of their leagues instead. Fantastic they pull up their colleagues schedule show you a list of available appointments. You choose one there and then and the consultant adds a few notes in for their colleague, done! In that time you've saved the money from not involving an administrator.

I am part of a cancer prevention trial that involves two operations. I've had one done but have now moved trusts. I engage with the research team at the new hospital but to get the second surgery I have to go via my GP for a referral to the right department at the new hospital. So basically I've got to go through my GP on an E-consult who would never have heard of the trial, get referred to hospital for a preliminary appointment probably with a registrar. They'll then probably want to repeat all of the scans I had at the other hospital because they won't have copies, then probably another appointment with the surgeon consultant who is named on the trial, and then eventually the surgery. All when the original info could be forwarded from the previous hospital to the new surgeon and then in I go for the pre op. It's a massive waste of resources it's ridiculous. I work in supply chain, you'd never make a profit if we worked like that.

What, so those with a larger income pay but not those in large houses, second homes, inherited wealth, large amounts of savings and investments, like the WFA. Bit like saying tax wealth when most of the wealthy have money in things not easily taxable. It's half a job.

Yes. I already do. I pay to see a Private GP because it is literally impossible to get an appointment at my surgery. And on the very rare occasion that you actually get an appointment (usually with one of those Physicians assistants or whatever they are called) it’s a waste of time anyway.

In France there is a fee to see the GP, about €30 and you pay for medication. 70% of that you claim back from their NHS and the rest is covered by your mutual. The mutual providers are not allowed to charge more if you have medical conditions and if you are on a low income there are government subsidized ones which are either free or a minimal fee. Long term health issues are free as is cancer treatment.

DH had a hand injury (before we got a mutual) and the total cost for treatment included an emergency hospital visit, a big bag of stuff from the pharmacy and 10 home visits from the district nurse to change dressings as well as a consultation with a specialist to check muscle movement in total was €150. All of which would have been covered by the mutual. Oh, and the specialist saw him within a week.

A friend had his hip replaced- saw his GP, appointment with the surgeon within a week, choice of dates for the op, as early as a week after. Private room, ongoing physiotherapy afterwards.
Totally paid for by the NHS and his mutual (low cost government one).

I think a really small amount like £5 would be a good idea just in that it would help stop so many people time wasting but not put people off from going.

The problem with a low amount it wouldn't stay low it would keep rising every year.

Yes and we should be paying anyway.

We do pay its called Ni

Nothing should be free: it leads to widespread abuse. Far better to have charges and then to means test users so that those who cannot afford them for genuine reasons are still able to access education, healthcare, medication etc

We don’t pay enough. Certainly current pensioners did not pay enough to fund their pensions. Loads of stuff that was previously free on the NHS isn’t anymore - eyecare, dentistry.

And you base this statement on?????

The nhs arent short of money throwing more money at it will make no difference and I dont think the current staff would cope with people's expectations if paying. The issue is its badly run.

Yes I would pay to see a GP, a GP I have seen twice now, and who has sent me for tests, wants a follow up in person appointment, but neither he, nor I can get past the booking system.

I would also scrap the triple lock on pensions. It’s predicted state pension will rise above personal allowance in the near future and that seems wrong to me. I say this as one edging closer to being eligible to receive it too.

I don't think people should have to pay upfront to access primary care. But they could pay a minimum amount and be billed later. I lived in a country where ambulances were charged unless it resulted in being admitted - about £200, but you could pay over a number of months.
You got charged to see a consultant - something like £10 - but could self refer so access to that specialist advice /treatment wasn't gate-kept by the GP. Extra tests were also charged but heavily subsided by the health fund so you'd pay maybe £20-30. Again, it could be set up to take instalment payments over a few months.
Seeing a GP/family doctor was free.

You see it on here everyday. I was literally offered an ambulance by 111 last week obviously I rejected and got a taxi. Unless you are not breathing or cant move you dont need an ambulance.

I dont have an issue in principle about paying a for to see a GP however I've always thought they would make a lot more money by fining the ones who don't turn up to appointments! That includes all GP, consultant and AHP appointments. Maybe people would think twice about casually not bothering to turn up? I don't know- just always wondered why its not a thing when dentists have been doing this for years