To think NHS gp's should work like NHS dentists

[Gaballout]

It's so hard to get an appointment. Why don't GPS run like the NHS dentist to stop time wasters and people not showing up.

So charge people a small amount for an appointment and if you're poor you don't pay (just like NHS dentists).

The NHS is under funded and tax rises they just won't bring in. This could bring in millions a year and there's no outcry about NHS dentist costs.

Isnt it almost impossible to register with an nhs dentist? Not sure it sounds much better

No. It should be free at point of use.

You do know that's why you pay NI?

We are paying for the nhs. Or most of us are anyway.

Because it could stop people going to the doctor about potentially serious illnesses. What about people who have medical conditions and need regular appointments.

Charging for GPs and dentists is completely different

What would you define as poor?

I’m always considered above the threshold for ‘help’ and free things but it doesn’t stop me worrying about money. I’d be less likely to go to the drs if i had to pay for it - the dentist isn’t so bad because it’s only once a year but I hate it when I have an unexpected problem because I budget so tightly.

Completely agree with you - there should be a nominal charge for each appointment for those who can afford it

Charging for appointments is wrong but maybe they should considering fining for missed appointments? Our surgery has signs up saying how many people failed to show up for appointments the previous month and the figures are shocking.

If I had to pay for medical appointments I'd be destitute.

Also how would you determine the threshold? Individual income or family? Would income from pensions count? What about a SAHM who earns nothing but whose DH earns £100K? What about children from well off families?

I think it would be difficult

Shouldn't be charges for seeing a GP, but 100% for missed appointments.

They also need to clamp down on issuing prescriptions for things you can buy over the counter such as Calpol!

funty that would lead to parents either through poverty or negligence not buying them and kids missing out.

There is a sign in my doctors waiting room Saying that this month 148 appointments have been missed. I have never seen the figure lower than 100.
So much time wasted. I think we should go back to the way it was when I was a child in the 70’s when if you needed to see the doctor you turned up and waited your turn. No appointment given to miss and people were less inclined to go for things that could just buy from the chemist as they knew they had to,put themselves out and wait.

I disagree about the missed appointments there are so so many admin errors where letters are sent / recieved after appointments it's a joke!! This is from working at the hospital Ive seen it happen to so many patients

No, that's why I pay my national insurance. I'd rather not pay twice. If you have a medical condition, you'd be paying a fortune for regular appointments, prescriptions, and your NI. Hardly fair when those that don't work don't pay NI, and then wouldn't pay for appointments either.

Might be blasted for the last bit of that statement but just my view.

I do believe you should be charged for missed appointments.

No, I completely disagree.

The best way to build resentment about funding the NHS (and any other public services) is to charge the people who already fund it, via taxes, more money to use the service they are funding. It creates a big divide between "people who pay" and "people who take". Everyone should pay according to their means, via tax, and take according to their needs.

Not to mention it's unlikely to be cost-effective anyway as it'll put people off going to the doctor for minor issues, they'll wait until it escalates.

I disagree about the missed appointments there are so so many admin errors where letters are sent / recieved after appointments it's a joke!!

Fair enough in those cases as you can usually provide evidence of the admin error. But for people that call up and make an appointment, and then just don't bother turning up....I think they should have to pay for the wasted time. There are other people who need appointments and can't get them.

They also need to clamp down on issuing prescriptions for things you can buy over the counter such as Calpol!

www.rcgp.org.uk/about-us/news/2017/march/prescription-clampdown-must-not-disadvantage-vulnerable-patients-says-rcgp.aspx

"If patients are in a position that they can afford to buy over the counter medicines and products, then we would encourage them to do so without a prescription - but this isn’t the case for everyone.

"Prescribing is a core skill in general practice and family doctors will always prescribe in the best interests of the patient in front of us, taking into account the combination of physical, psychological and social factors affecting their health.

"Imposing blanket policies on GPs, that don’t take into account demographic differences across the country, or allowing flexibility for a patient’s individual circumstances, risks alienating the most vulnerable in society - and we will be seeking assurances from NHS England that this won't be the case.

I agree.
There should be a charge for appointments.
NHS can no longer afford to be a fully free service. When it was founded in 1948, the health profile of the country was very different plus individuals are living longer.

There's a sign in my doctors waiting room too, that says how many appointments were missed. I still always have to wait at least 20 mins, often more like 40. Because funnily enough, they overschedule appointments because people cancel them.

The idea that the NHS has issues because people miss appointments is utter bollocks, to be quite honest. I don't imagine a GP is EVER sitting around with nothing to do, waiting for their next patient to turn up.

Theoretically it would be good if they charged you for an appointment and then refunded you if you turned up.

I say theoretically as it would penalise those who can't afford the up front payment or the wait for a refund but it would perhaps help other the cost of missed appointments.

Terrible idea. You do realise that there are people who don't go to the dentists because they just can't afford it don't you? Because of the medication I'm on I have to see my gp weekly. I wouldn't be able to pay for these appointments. We don't claim any means tested benefits so would be classed as able to pay. We don't smoke, drink, have sky tv etc. We are just about keeping our heads above water. I have never missed a gp or hospital appointment because my life depends on regular monitoring.

People then won't go till their condition gets more serious which will end up costing the NHS more money.
Ds needs to go to the GP more than most because his learning difficulties mean that he cannot say what is wrong. Why should he potentially be penalised for having that difficulty.

I've been trying to register with a dentist for years. As someone with a lot of health problems, if GPs ran like dentists I'd be fucked.

Tbh there have been times in the past when I was living alone when I would put off going to the dentist precisely because I knew I had to pay. It was only for checkups thankfully and I have never needed treatment other than antibiotics for my wisdom teeth but there were times when I just couldn't justify the cost and knew it had to wait a bit.

If GP's started charging then I would have also been put off attending unless I was at deaths door.