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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the NHS would have a few more quid if...

117 replies

DolomitesDonkey · 13/02/2013 09:22

They had even half a handle on health tourism?

I left the UK to go abroad in 99. I'm back visiting and on Monday needed a doctor for conjunctivitis. I was seen without any verification of who I am, I was asked to provide a name, local address and home address. None were checked.

At the chemist I caused much hilarity when I asked how much it was or if a passport was ok as ID.

Oh, and the doctor asked if I wanted a prescription for paracetamol. ConfusedLike that's not available for 15p in tesco.

I am saddened by the whole thing. Being EU I'm entitled to reciprocal healthcare and I'd have been happy to pay and claim back later. But the whole thing was a fucking joke, ok my treatment was cheap - but that's 30 quid not in the budget of "your" child's treatment now.

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:27

I only get them due to my thyroid - never did before

they are free in, I think Scotland and Wales - and then to people in certain situations in England and under 16's

MarmaladeTwatkins · 13/02/2013 10:28

"you would - under the E111 scheme"

HA HA HA HA HA! That shit on your picnic, ParistoBerlin.

Antipag · 13/02/2013 10:28

I have said this before in another thread but free prescriptions simply are not as simple as means testing. I am very happy that somebody has recently told me about PPC for prescriptions but I have two autoimmune disorders one of which I take immunosurpressants for so I am on a wealth of medication and constantly open to infections, I am also asthmatic. For healthy people paying £7 per prescription may be easy enough but for people who aren't healthy and yet don't have one of the illnesses that warrants free prescriptions, £7 x 15 items a month suddenly becomes VERY EXPENSIVE. As for the health tourism issue, I suspect it is simply a case that it costs more to pay people to stop it than it does to cover the health costs in the first place. Although if you offer to pay, as a Oops did, then there should be a mechanism to do so.

gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:29

ChairmanWow I read that 25% of ALL GP's where Indian in origin

MmeLindor · 13/02/2013 10:29

It is not about xenophobia.

it is about looking at the FACTS.

Countries like Germany have a completely different system, and their bureaucracy costs millions of EU - everyone has to be insured and gets a little card to say they are.

Would it actually save the country money to introduce something similar, or would it cost more?

fromparistoberlin · 13/02/2013 10:31

I think what OP means is that by giving everyone FREE immediate healthcare means people basically take fuck all responsibility, and a few come here to abuse the system?

its a tough one, as we are VERY lucky to have the NHS, and I did nothing to desrve it

but if you look at other EU countries, they are alot more regimented than us. yes you get treated, but you need to provide some paperwork. ie you need to make some responsible adult decision before you travel, and have some basic paperwork

I think the system is unfortunately based on a great humane principle, but very open to abuse

anyway, I must go, the DM have FIVE (yes!!) new anti-Romanian articles, I must go read them

gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:31

The German system is not massively different - my AOK insurance was taken direct from my wages - like tax

MmeLindor · 13/02/2013 10:31

From that BBC article -

Nine in 10 prescription items in England are handed out free as those exempt include the under 16s, over 60s, pregnant women and those on low incomes.

Of the rest, many are discounted through a pre-payment scheme which means that people needing regular prescriptions, such as those with long-term conditions like arthritis, only have to pay just over £2 a week.

It effectively means only the healthy and wealthy pay the full £7.40 charge.

MarmaladeTwatkins · 13/02/2013 10:33

Romanians aren't the immigrants du jour over on the DM, it's the Polskis and Somalians. Do keep up!

gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:34

I have had free treatment in a 'GP' style practice and an A+E in Germany, Spain and France - as a tourist with my trusty E111 - I did pay for my prescriptions in Spain but in France I was given medication to leave with

MmeLindor · 13/02/2013 10:35

Gordy
That is not true.

There are many health insurers - Krankenkassen - each with their own bureaucracy, offices etc. The charges are pretty much the same, but some cover alternative illnesses, others are more restrictive.

You choose which Krankenkasse you want to be insured by and pay to them, not to the central government. It comes off your wages, but it is a completely different system to the UK NHS

fromparistoberlin · 13/02/2013 10:35

I just think the system is a little bit flawed

I can afford to pay for my childrens prescriptions, and I can afford to pay for my inhaler.

we are VERY lucky, I appreciate that

But honestly I would rather pay (and the many millions like me) and have the money be re-allocated

and yes, I can see that the short terms costs of introducing a system would cost alot but long term could save alot of money

just an opinion

fromparistoberlin · 13/02/2013 10:36

Romanians are 100% to blame for the horse meat scandal

I read that yrsterday, they have massive factory and they are sending DEAD horse to the whole of the EU

the fuckers

Grin
gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:37

but you CAN pay - you can go private and leave NHS resources for the less well off - problem solved

gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:37

and the Welsh apparently Grin bloody bastards

gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:38

sorry what is not true - I paid my insurance straight out of my wages - rather like tax - that is a factoid I am afraid - although it was the early 90's

usualsuspect · 13/02/2013 10:39

I'm healthy but certainly not wealthy and I pay for my proscriptions.

I'm just curious as to why the OP didn't have to pay for hers?

Unless she was in Scotland.

gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:41

I think it was for a child US I think an adult going to a GP for a gammy eye would be laughed out of the surgery

fromparistoberlin · 13/02/2013 10:41

but you see gordy, thats not what I want either!

I pay a fuck load of tax and I do not want to be taxed even further to use private.

I also dont like private, it reminds me too much of the US

I just would rather see costs managed tighter, and I would not mind having people on my level of income having to spend a few bob on prescriptions

anyway....dream on

usualsuspect · 13/02/2013 10:41

or even my prescriptions

usualsuspect · 13/02/2013 10:42

Oh I see.

I thought she was talking about herself.

Original poster
DolomitesDonkey · 13/02/2013 10:43

Why would you want to avoid me for wanting to pay for medical treatment I shouldn't be entitled to at source? That's bonkers.

I guess the reason I wasn't asked to pay for the prescription was because this is Wales.

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 13/02/2013 10:44

no - but she could have saved the NHS £30 by going to a chemist and buying eye drops !

usualsuspect · 13/02/2013 10:44

ah, thats all I wanted to know Grin

Carry on...

Dawndonna · 13/02/2013 10:46

I have the pre payment certificate. Dh's prescriptions are £49 per month. Using the pre payment certificate brings it down to £14 per month. £3.50 per week is still a lot for some people.