"so you'd have more choice and lower cost" BUT not free at point of use - so where does that leave people like me who are disabled unable to work and couldn't afford private healthcare, or the homeless, or those who couldn't get cover - again like me (in addition to physical disability I also have major mh problems).
I also agree with tying trained medics (not just Drs) into working for nhs for a set period post qualification. Not on they're getting free/subsidised training and buffering off to private/emigrating within 5 years.
I thought at the time GP's going self employed was a ridiculous idea. We've lost continuity of care, home visits inc to nursing and care homes (pretty much), provision of many services, ooh care... My gps isn't even open on a wednesday afternoon! Let alone past 530pm or Saturday's and over Xmas and new year it was closed for almost 3 weeks! I dread to think the impact that had on a&e.
And yes basic common sense crap - the central heating for an ENTIRE hospital does NOT need to be on midsummer, especially mid heat-wave! Not only expensive but overheats patients and boosts infection growth - ridiculous!
Londonista - yes our local gum/sti clinic only open one morning and one afternoon a week (separate days) nearest full time one 90 mins away.
Speaking as someone who is officially (just - hopefully shift a bit soon) obese and as a former nurse I'm wary when I see reports of "nhs trust turned me away for surgery because I'm too fat"
A there's usually more to the story
B one of the factors is there are CLINICAL reasons it's not always safe to do certain procedures on obese patients.
RE missed GP appointments - I've been given the wrong information so many times now that to avoid being accused of being an appointment waster I either record the call (with their permission) or make it in person and ask them to write it down and sign it - I started doing this a few months ago, twice already I've been able to prove it was THEM gave me the WRONG date/time. I know they're busy but it's not on to blame patients when it's not the patients fault.
Also if the missed appointments are audited it's often found that it's patients with memory issues, chaotic thinking or there's been good valid reasons (eg in hospital unconscious or actually died). I've also known surgeries make eg screening appointments for patients that have passed, the appointments have been sent to the deceased persons address which is either vacant or occupied by new people - even if they return to sender doesn't always make it in time to avoid a wasted appointment BUT the point is OF ALL people your GP should know if you're dead!!
There's also as pp said the problem of actually GETTING THROUGH to cancel - my GP surgery as I believe many do operate that ridiculous system where advance appointments are only any good for things like repeat prescriptions requiring review because you'll be waiting at least 2 weeks, so instead you're told to call 8am - at which time THE WHOLE WORLD is calling and you can't get through, usually until at least just before 10, so if you had an appointment for say 0830 impossible to cancel. Myself and other patients have suggested a separate phone line, text option, online option - no! They won't spend the money on it - even though it would CLEARLY save money. Bonkers!