to expect more from the NHS???

[IWipeArses]

Asked at the doctors front desk for some condoms on Monday, receptionist said the nurse would leave some for me to collect on Tuesday. Great, perfectly acceptable, had one left.
Picked them up. There's 12. 12? How often do they expect me to go back?!

12 condoms... that's like a year's supply!

12, that's a 6 year supply isn't it? Birthday's and Christmas. :o

Arrrgh, who put that apostrophe in Birthdays [wail]

And what perception says, also bought in bulk they are probably really cheap why shouldn't they be free if other forms of contraception are?

Perhaps only giving out 12, means that questions such as "How often do you have sex", don't have to be asked, because of expiry dates.

I agree that they shouldbe free,but think that if you can afford them, you should buy some, as you would cough mixture, pain killers etc.

They have baskets full of free condoms at the midwives I go to. It is only a midwives office, I think they might have missed the boat slightly on preventing pregnancy.

Oh please, I've never relied on the NHS to give me condoms. Surely 12 will keep you for a bit? Anyway you can buy nicer ones at Tesco.

(Just to clarify, I do think they should be provided, but 12 is a lot!)

They aren't expensive at all if you buy in bulk online. You can get a hundred for the price of a 10 pack in boots.

The "its cheaper than pregnancies or abortions" line is a bit juvenile, handing over the baton to someone else. It's your responsibilty, not the NHS's!

It is though isn't it? Prevention is better than 'treatment'. It may be passing the baton, but that's just how it is. I'm glad we offer free contraception. I couldn't imagine what the birth rate would be otherwise.

The NHS have paid for me to have the implant in my arm. Something I'm very glad about.

"The NHS is for healthcare and is already overspent not to fiancé your shagging Buy your own"

"Oh wait that is us financing your sex life isn't it. Marvelous."

"Buy your own, cheapskate."

I'm assuming that all the posters telling the op she should buy her own condoms also fund their own contraceptive; the pill, coil, injections etc? These are provided for by the nhs just as much as condoms are...

I also think tampons/pads should be free for some people, or at least tax free for all

It is, but thats not really the point.

The NHS can't afford life saving operations and drugs, and suffer in many areas due to lack of money. Anyone who can afford to pay for their own contraception should do, no matter what type.
It's a very take take take attitude prevalent in the UK because you expect a lot from an overstretched under-funded resource.

Just be grateful you don't have to pay to see your GP, pay for blood tests etc.

So you think the nhs should be means tested mrsunshine?

It's relative though isn't it, if people had to pay for contraception then you know that the NHS will suffer more.

In a perfect world, everyone would be perfectly responsible and use protection and no unwanted pregnancy would happen. There'd be no need for abortions etc etc. but it isn't, and I don't blame people for taking advantage of free contraception.

We pay our taxes, I get a free implant. S'all good.

If we got rid of free contraception, other things like Quit Smoking packs would have to go too.

We could save a fortune making gastric bands a chargeable procedure, offering c-sections at emergency only, and scrap these silly advertising campaigns that are constantly on the radio.

Yes i do pay for my own protection. As. Should others unless they absolutely can't afford to. As others have said, condoms are cheap online. I do see the point that is cheaper than treating an sti or unwanted pregnancy but I didn't like the op moaning that they'd only given her 12. It's not like its life threatening to not shag like rabbits. She shoukd be grateful to get any free. The nhs is majorly over stretched as it is.

It's not juvenile - it is simply a fact MrSunshine. We get a lot of things offered free on the NHS so why are people getting up in arms about free condoms?

Nobody has to pay for contraceptive pills or to have a coil fitted, or for contraceptive injections. Nobody has to pay for their unborn baby's 20 week scan...

If you're going to object to free condoms then you may as well object to many of the things offered by the NHS which help to set us apart from countries where poor people don't get any health care and it's just tough.

Loving some of the answers here...6 years supply, Xmas and Birthdays ...PMSL.

I think condoms should be on prescription goldpedantic that way it is a controlled amount but is to an extent means tested.

My friend lost her leg to MRSA tha NHS gave her, she gets one prosthetic leg, anything after that she had to pay for. In the grand scheme of things I'd like legs to be free not johnnys.

Nobody is up in arms. They are just saying, you've been given somehting for free from a service that is broke, why are you complaining its not more?

I don't particularly object to free condoms, I do object to a gimme gimme more attitude.

So you think the nhs should be means tested mrsunshine?

I think people should self means test, in effect. If you can afford to buy your own condoms, you should. Is that a controversial idea?

What do you mean by 'a service that is broke'?

If people use condoms as their means of contraception they should be given as many as they need if it's offered free.

Broke: has no money. In the red. Broke.

If people use condoms as their means of contraception they should be given as many as they need if it's offered free.
This is the attitude I mean. "I can afford my own, but they will give them for free. Give me loads! And some more!"
Up to you though.

How do you know the OP can afford her own condoms?

When I had my coil fitted I wasn't given an option of choosing to pay because I can afford it.