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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think NHS time wasters should be billed and have to pay?

91 replies

YellowSunny · 30/08/2016 16:28

The ones that call for an ambulance when it isn't needed (to take them home when they're drunk) should be billed for it? So they pay the £500 (whatever it costs) and people in prison should have to pay for their dental care (DD got a procedure done and had to tick she was in full time education and that's why she got it free, but there was one for people in prison!!! I never knew this) so when they're released they should be billed? Surely it would make a lot of sense. Yes, it may cause more work, but surely it should save the NHS some money?

OP posts:

Original poster

YellowSunny · 30/08/2016 17:52

Surely prison should be bad though? Some homeless people purposely commit crimes, to go into prison, surely that's not right?

I've been in 3, obviously not there as a criminal though.

OP posts:

madein1995 · 30/08/2016 17:53

Yes, fortunately. As despicable as I may find their crimes everyone has a right to life. Let's not forget the people who have been released on appeal for crimes they didn't commit- no conviction is ever 100% safe and I would rather not run the risk of killing someone - the death penalty is not a punishment you cannot take back. Besides, what exactly does the death penalty do? Bar allowing state sponsored murder of course. The murderer doesn't have to live with their wrongs then. Also, not all murderers are people who prey on the vulnerable - they could be victims of D.V who one day snapped, people who have mental illnesses, people convicted for assisted suicide. Wrong nonetheless, deserving of punishment yes, but yes I am glad I live in a country where the death penalty is illegal and highly unlikely to be reinstated.

MidnightVelvettheSixth · 30/08/2016 17:54

What if a woman giving birth in a prison is denied access to medical care? Is that allowable, to stand by & watch a baby die?

ilovesooty · 30/08/2016 17:55

So you've only been in prison visitor areas?

Sirzy · 30/08/2016 17:55

Ye coz being in prison is a barel of laughs isn't it. Minimal contact with the outside world, loss of freedom, minimal privacy. Don't know why people aren't queuing up to go for their summer holiday.

Sadly poor education standards are common in prisoners, this limits their life opportunities which sadly makes them more likely to reoffend. It can soon become a vicious circle. By offering some rehabilitation and education it may just help someone to break free of that cycle - how is that a bad thing?

Original poster

YellowSunny · 30/08/2016 17:57

I think that fear of knowing you're going to die would be horrendous, being on death row can last for ages. I personally think that's worse.

No, I've visited a prison, for work reasons.

OP posts:

MoreCoffeeNow · 30/08/2016 17:58

The punishment is the deprivation of liberty.

Prisoners should be treated humanely and that includes health care.

Sallystyle · 30/08/2016 17:59

I used to be a GP receptionist and the worst time wasters weren't the no shows but the hypochondriacs (sorry, those with "health anxiety") it wasn't uncommon for one person to have an appointment once a week for their latest ailment. All bullshit.

That was me once. Health anxiety is a fucking evil thing to go through. I did need help though, just not physically. Thankfully my GP was sympathetic and got me the help of the right kind. In fact, even now I'm much better he still tells me he has no problem seeing me if I'm ever anxious over anything and he would rather I make an appointment with him then sit and panic for weeks on end.

I hate that people think I was a time waster. I will ill, just mentally. I wasn't doing it for attention or anything. It wasn't bullshit, I genuinely believed I needed to see a GP and those appointments were a great time to discuss my mental health.

I work for the NHS. I work in A&E and I also work in many clinics. So many people do not turn up for appointments and it is shocking. I waited 18 weeks to see a dermatologist but I know that in that time there would have been loads of DNAs.

We get a lot of regulars in A&E but every one of them is suffering from a mental health condition of some kind. Some go in for the most ridiculous things but they are triaged and treated accordingly. I worry more when I see posts from people here asking if they should go to A&E when they have a massive open wound or are having palpitations with shortness of breath which is unusual for them, both happened this week on MN.

Once we start charging people for being 'time wasters' we are going to get loads of people who really need to be seen worrying and not going in at all.

I am totally on board with charging those who purposefully abuse ambulance services and miss appointments without canceling, only if that is financially viable for the NHS though of course.

suchafuss · 30/08/2016 18:03

Tabsicle · 30/08/2016 18:07

You know the countries with the harshest prison systems have the highest rate of re-offending? You tell prisoners they are nothing but scum, that is what they learn.

Forcing them into constant pain and risking their life (want to know how many people died in the 19th century from untreated dental ailments) is also flat out inhumane. Prison isn't a place of torture, ffs. The loss of liberty is the punishment. Or does the OP think we should start stripping their fingernails too?

ilovesooty · 30/08/2016 18:10

So have you talked extensively with prison staff and prisoners and spent time on the wings OP?

CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger · 30/08/2016 18:16

Yes, because GP receptionists are well known for being in possession of the relevant qualifications to diagnose bullshit aren't they . No wonder your profession has such a glowing reputation.

cansu · 30/08/2016 18:19

Whst borp says. OP this must be one of the stupidest viewpoints I have read in a while. You need a hobby.

Dontyoulovecalpol · 30/08/2016 18:32

Don't worry cuppa it's not my profession it was a holiday job 20 years ago. And I didn't diagnose anyone- the GPs did.

You should've heard some of the other things they said if you think that's bad

Doggity · 30/08/2016 18:47

It's boring when people change their name to be goady.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 30/08/2016 18:49

I know of several cases of people with dementia, where relatives have asked time and time again for the hospital NOT to send letters about appointments to the person themselves, since they will a) never remember or tell anyone else who would, b) will very likely hide the letter or throw it away.

A family carer I know of was royally ticked off the other day because her mother had 'wasted' yet another appointment - she was reduced to almost helpless rage, having told them so often that if they did not send the letters to her, and not her mother, this was invariably going to happen.

Complaints and requests get such people nowhere - the usual thing is to say they can't do it because of 'patient confidentiality' - never mind if the person is just not capable of managing these things any more.
Dementia awareness in the NHS is all too often appalling.

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