I am a big fan of the NHS and think it would be terrible if we lost it.
However, I think we could help prevent that happening by it being not quite so free as we are accustomed to, iyswim.
I had to go to my GP today for help with my totally avoidable and self inflicted health condition. I was given an appointment just 3 hours after phoning and the doctor was calm, non judgmental and extremely helpful. I am independent adult with a good, full time job.
I can't see why I, and people like me, shouldn't pay a token amount towards GP appointments, just like we do for the dentist. Even just £10-£15 a visit could make a huge difference on a national scale, surely.
Obviously if you are a) poor b) have an illness or disability that requires frequent appointments c) are a child or d) need expensive treatment/care then the NHS is vital and must remain free.
But I don't see the need for this 'free at the point of use' thing for all people in all situations. If you can pay for standard, infrequent appointments then I think it would be fine to be made to.
AIBU?
AIBU?
To think that *some* people paying for healthcare *some* of the time would be no bad thing.
manicinsomniac · 04/02/2016 22:50
BeaufortBelle sorry - I realise it was a personal question: I was just interested. I know it has been recommended to me by doctors that I just put money away and then "barter" as necessary 
instead of paying insurance, but I'm not in the position where I ever have a couple of hundred not doing anything to pay a consultant with - so it makes sense for me to insure. I know my DP faced a similar thing as you and your DP with regard to premiums some years ago - DF was younger than 50, but had already had heart trouble, and as a result, premiums just for him were over £1k per month.
I don't think anyone should have to pay to get better service - but the sad fact of the matter is that if you're paying, you do: and I absolutely agree that it makes sense to pick and mix where that's possible, no matter what the level of one's personal tax burden is.
I completely agree (I wonder how often I've posted that before!) with Manatee - the fact that there are issues with the performance of the NHS is in no way a criticism of the dedicated staff who work for them: and really, in the 21st century, we should have no "sacred cows" of the state. There is - for whatever reason - quite clearly a complex problem: as tax payers and service users/patients, we deserve a good service that is both fit for purpose and value for money.
I know it has been recommended to me by doctors that I just put money away and then "barter" as necessary hmm instead of paying insurance
How many people are in a position to barter when they're feeling ill?
How about a system whereby an appointment charge is set and each time a patient is late or absent they pay, but each time the NHS is late of cancelled they pay the patient 
that's a system my bank balance would be in favour of!
Still cross that my DC had to be put on a drip as a baby due to a nil by mouth operation being delayed by 12 hrs! 20hrs total nil by mouth is not acceptable for a 3 month old!
My physio charges for a dna. I had to cancel at short notice because my stepfather was ill. Rang up and apologised and put a cheque for £50 in the post. She phoned me when she got it to say she'd put it through the shredder because she filled my half hour with an emergency. But then I'm very reliable and she pokes me if she sees me in waitrose 
No offence taken hefzi but you did ask . I agree entirely with othehugemanatee. What I have difficulty reconciling is the fact that anyone should be grateful to the NHS. I am grateful for good, kind care from wherever it comes. I accept that if DH needed a procedure he would have to pay because it has to be convenient for him. We are however talking about the man who had his piles done at 9am and was in work by 1.30pm. Only a local though - and he did moan a lot for about a week.
When I get good care, I always write and say thank you because I think bouquets are as important as brickbats. But it concerns me that it is 50/50 overall. 80/20 vis a vis doctors, physio, radiologists, etc - probably higher for the latter two but sadly closer to 20/80 vis a vis nursing care. It is massive problem.
We are London or outskirts so experiences might be skewed, I accept that.
No, absolutely, BB - I was just interested (and nosy - I appreciate it was none of my business) because I think our general opinions are fairly similar despite the significant income disparity ( and I also send flowers and write letters, as well as pay for appointments if I haven't given 24 hours notice of a change: again, though, when people know you're not a flake, they tend to return the cheque!) And like your husband, I also went into work after piles: though I wasn't there for all that long, as it was a GA and day surgery, so I only made it just in time for my 4 o'clock lecture: I was moving a bit gingerly all class, though
tin that's what I was told by several GPs at the practice where I was a child - they are the sort, though, who affect to be enormously offended by private medicine I don't think, if something was serious enough to need to jump a waiting list, I'd be in any mood to quibble, frankly (and actually, I think it's rather rude to barter with professionals as though it were a car boot sale )
I know my father needed to see a cardiologist urgently about four years ago (according to the GP): the waiting list was at least three and a half months - but strangely, if he paid the £180 consultancy fee, he could be seen the same afternoon.
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