To say the NHS should be privatised?

[Cheekypeach]

Preferably only partially, but still. I was talking about this with DH yesterday who is adamant it should stay as it is. I said I don’t think it can survive in its current form, and I for one would rather pay more and receive a better quality service. AIBU?

I’m guessing the OP is actually a mole for Ben Guerin or maybe working for James Frayne or Rachel Wolf to test MN views?

Isn’t it enough that Tories already get rich off our collective ill health. That doesn’t seem enough though. IMO the call to further privatisation is because they know the economy is broken post Brexit and that health care is the only lucrative industry left.

www.thenational.scot/news/18255016.revealed-links-conservatives-private-healthcare/

voxpoliticalonline.com/2022/01/16/why-are-the-tories-handing-270-million-pounds-to-privatehealth-if-covid19-is-declining/

www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/03/healthcare-companies-links-tories-nhs-contracts

www.theransomnote.com/commentary/news-commentary/list-of-mps-with-links-to-private-health-care-emerges/

morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/ejecting-privateers-out-our-health-service

That’s very lovely for you.

I would be happy to pay, knowing we were covering people who couldn’t, of which there are millions.

It must remain free at the point of delivery, with a pay option for those who comfortably can.

(Which would be few: most people have no idea of the real cost of medical treatment.)

The care I got post operatively in the private hospital was suboptimal.

The care I got post operatively in the nhs was like night and day. The meals were poorer and I was in a ward. But the actual nursing and care was far better.

Haven’t RTFT but would you prefer to pay £60 for antibiotics for your child OP, because the pharmacist tells you that the £150 brands prescribed are over priced? Also £50 for the Dr appointment.

That’s what we had to pay while living overseas. 15 years ago so it’s probably more expensive now. No free dental care for children.

@Cheekypeach

Now you’re all answering the question as if the Tories are the only government we will ever have and therefore a French system is impossible

Let’s say the tories have fucked off in 15 years and Labour are in, could we have a French system then?

No and we wouldn’t need one because a Labour government would invest in the NHS like it did from 1997 to 2010.

I’m not replying to any more posts telling me the tories are awful because I know and I have made that clear several times

Experiences of A&E are also determined in part by socio-democratic area. A&Es in more affluent areas tend to be easier environments to be in. Those that aren't are peopled by those who have negatively impact by appalling social political policies that has decreased their opportunities and increased their deprivations.

The idea privatisation sorts out issues is stupid.
Look at the disasters we have had with some rail companies that had to be taken back under public control.

We need good medical care. Fancy hotel rooms do not really matter. What matters is good quality medical care.

Under the NHS medics give more than they are paid for. It will not happen in a privatised service.

@Blossomtoes agreed.
By the end of the Labour government, the number of people spending money on privatised healthcare had fallen dramatically.

Totally agree. The NHS is great for what it is but what it is isn’t great.

It’s not the NHS or the American way - there are other options in between.

And it’s not reasonable to say ‘pay for private care yourself then’ because that’s extortionate without insurance and private insurance here doesn’t cover everything unless you have a good policy through work that covers pre-existing conditions, etc.

The German or French models would be a good starter for ten.

I for one would rather pay more and receive a better quality service

Stupid selfish attitude I'm allright Jack attitude that ne er thinks of people that can't afford it.

I've lived in various countries across Europe, and the UK. The NHS is overwhelming the worst healthcare I've ever experienced in terms of access to care, availability & quality of care. I have a number health conditions I was born with which require ongoing treatment and it wasn't until I moved to the UK 20 years ago that I ever had issues getting care. I was told the there was no expertise available for my condition in the health authority so if I wanted care they would have to apply for ''out of area funding''. I was warned this would likely be denied because of ''cost constraints''. This really set the tone for pretty much every experience I've had... last time I was admitted to A&E the doctor had to google my condition... as they'd never heard of it. My drugs have been badly managed time and time again, which the GP blames on not being ''allowed'' to run the test needed to judge levels as it's ''too expensive''. My daughter nearly died for lack of care when she was a premature baby - I thank my lucky stars my parents paid for her to have private care. The consultant she was cared by was so angry such a vulnerable infant had been allowed to get to the state she had. If you have run of the mill needs, NHS is fine. Anything else if you can't pay for private then you're stuffed.

The NHS isn't as poorly funded as people think it is, it's poorly managed. There's a huge difference. I'm very fortunate that I have private insurance through my employment now and when push comes to shove I can get care when I need it. A health system where that's the only option isn't fit for purpose - what about people who don't have this option?? I'd love to see a system like France (spend per capita is comparable to the UK) whereby one claims the costs back from the state and care is very high quality. I'd be happy to pay comparable levels of national insurance as the French pay for that type of system.

To be fair the food was better in French hospitals though I expect it's better in the French Parliament, armed services and police stations too.

@LagunaBubbles

I for one would rather pay more and receive a better quality service

Stupid selfish attitude I'm allright Jack attitude that ne er thinks of people that can't afford it.

But I’m not alright, Jack. I’m type 1 diabetic and on an average wage. Read the thread.

Average means you’re on a lot more than a significant proportion of people.

Is yours the only wage in the household?

People always seem to assume there are two options: NHS or US-style privatization. There are other ways to achieve universal health care. The Netherlands has private care but universal health insurance. I don't understand why every other country isn't copying them on this one.

The NHS isn't as poorly funded as people think it is, it's poorly managed. There's a huge difference.

Agree.

It’s both. But it’s very difficult to innovate when you’re fire fighting.

*Although not everyone with type 2 diabetes is overweight, obesity and an inactive lifestyle are two of the most common causes of type 2 diabetes. These things are responsible for about 90% to 95% of diabetes cases in the United States.

Goady = not liking the truth it seems.*

Why are you giving American statistics when that's not the model of healthcare you want (according to you).

Personally I think you're bored and looking for attention with this thread. Good luck to everyone who is talking sense.

@GreenLunchBox

Because diabetes costs the NHS 10% of its budget each year!

It seems to be a much more frequent condition these days. Is it because people are now eating much more and exercising less? As a nation we are far fatter than 40 yrs ago

Was watching some old London street scenes from 1960’s 1970’s and everyone was so slim..
Really noticeably so.
Old, young, middle aged, and the comments under the videos said the same.

@SpiderVersed

I for one would rather pay more and receive a better quality service

I for one would not like to be a selfish princess who leaves those in poverty or with disabilities at the mercy of a profit-driven, exploitative private health system.

Yes! This☝🏽 Thank fuck we have people with common sense and empathy speaking up!

The last time I looked, France spent c£600 per capita more than the UK and the non-health delivery component representing French governance and financing costs were 3x those of the UK (c£200 compared with c£60), partly because insurance-based models have greater transaction costs than the UK. That said, I expect the numbers could me made to justify any position, except USA's health system perhaps.

@Pookielumchum

People always seem to assume there are two options: NHS or US-style privatization. There are other ways to achieve universal health care. The Netherlands has private care but universal health insurance. I don't understand why every other country isn't copying them on this one.

I don't get why people are saying the nhs isn't underfunded and then pointing to countries who spend 30% more per person on healthcare.

@oakleaffy people tended to eat much more home cooked meals and fresh food. The problem is nowadays that skills have been lost and - more importantly- fresh food costs so much more than processed food.

Many people just can't afford it and few people know how to cook healthily, economically.

Or something like, a £10 fee for GP appointments, £15 for consultant appointments, £300 bill for maternity services/birth etc. Everything having a small charge.

Sorry but this would leave a lot of people in precarious situations. £10/£15 is enough to stop people seeking medical treatment who are only just surviving. £300 for maternity care is also enough to put people into debt (which can easily spiral) at a really sensitive time.

It’s wrong to charge for healthcare unless a person chooses to seek private care. No one should be forced into debt or make choice to eat or seek a doctor.

The NHS might not be working completely at the moment but it is far better than the alternative.