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?

OP you're saying this because you can afford it.

A disabled type 1 diabetic who complains about paying tax for the NHS being the reason she doesn't go private.

She can't afford it. She's on a wind up

Oh @Cheekypeach your kind of sweet. Those numbers are just daft.

In the US to see a doctor without insurance is $200-600

A basic broken leg costs $2500. If you need surgery for that leg it'd be $17000.

If you thinking those nominal amounts should be on top of taxes as a sort of booster I think it's not a terrible idea. As long as no one receiving benefits paid it.

I have insurance through DH work. But it doesn't cover prescriptions, when I need to buy tablets they are £80-£150 per prescription. I've got a chronic pain condition and my medical bill for the past year is up to £25,000.

Without the NHS I just don't know how people would survive.

@NrlySp

Have a look at the Swiss model. There are different levels of insurance - private, semi private and basic. Various different insurance companies. Everyone must have health insurance. If you are unemployed/low wage the government helps. You choose the insurance you want/are willing to pay and you also have a franchise eg £500. Once this is reached because of appointments/treatment your subsequent treatment is basically free/you pay a very small percentage. Fees are regulated so people cannot be ripped off. It works, doctors have to provide a good service because patients can choose who they see - at all levels. It’s not perfect but infinitely better than the NHS. And it’s a halfway house between NHS and complete privatization

That sounds fantastic and absolutely the kind of thing I’m talking about.

Anyone want to argue with that?

You do realise the health insurance in the USA is about the same as a mortgage payment?

Ah wait I recognise OP from the benefit bashing thread. Hm.

Nah.

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

How much more? I suspect when you discovered the real cost of some things (e.g. most prescription medicines cost quite a lot more than the charge per item on the prescription) you might well be less enthusiastic about this idea.

I have to have a fair number of items on repeat prescription every month. If that aspect was privatised it would be bad news for me.

With each of your posts it does sound as though you are speaking from a position of a certain amount of financial privilege. You don't need to worry too much about where the money would come from.

Perhaps the cost could be spread over a few weeks or discounted for people earning below a certain amount. Means testing etc.

People can't afford to have their heating on. People are reliant on food banks. If you've got nothing, it doesn't matter how many weeks you spread it over.

Do you realise means testing is pretty costly? Plus it takes time. Neither are practical for emergency care.

You've not thought this through at all.

With each of your posts it does sound as though you are speaking from a position of a certain amount of financial privilege.

I will repeat - I earn the National average and not a penny more.

@LouiseBelchersBunnyEars

There’s a myriad of different healthcare services in between the NHS and the American model.

They aren’t the only two options.

Other countries such as Canada also have free healthcare.

The problem with the MHS is mismanagement, and poor contracts, which were still paying interest on years after the fact.

Problem is when a management system becomes hidebound, it’s hard to correct on a large organisation, nevermind an enormous one.

It’s a sticky issue. What do you think the answer is?

I have no idea what the answer is but the state it is in now is terrible. In the past 2 years I can count many many times when they have failed in losing nearly killing my child through pure negligence.

Personally some more funding may help but only if top management spend it properly. Many policies need drastic changing- number 1 people only allowing 1 parent with their ill child. Having met some if top management they are not fit for the job.

I think making a paying a fine for a missed appointment would be a good start. Raise some funds and hopefully reduce wasted appointments. I also think this whole NHS staff can do no wrong in the eyes of other NHS staff is a major issue.

I will repeat - I earn the National average and not a penny more.

Then you cannot afford private healthcare.

Like I just said I think there should be flat fees for services
£10 GP appointment
£15 Hospital appointment
£300 flat fee for maternity services & giving birth on NHS
£20 for broken limb
However I do firmly believe under 18s should be free.

Lol. You're in lala land if you think these prices are anywhere what they cost privately.

@GreenLunchBox

OP you're saying this because you can afford it.

A disabled type 1 diabetic who complains about paying tax for the NHS being the reason she doesn't go private.

She can't afford it. She's on a wind up

I agree.

The costs for this person would be in the top 10%.

I think the OP is Dominic Raab or Daniel Hannan in disguise.

@Abhannmor

All my American friends are adamant the NHS should keep out private health providers. They speak from bitter experience.

I'm an American HCP. Private healthcare providers can deliver very good care if they're in a competitive market. There are lots of Brits who come to New York for medical treatment.

Do any other countries offer free healthcare to all?

Privatisation doesn't mean a US-style system. We should look at what happens in some European countries, and consider a form of insurance that WE pay for. Then we might take some responsibility and not waste NHS resources. I know many doctors & nurses in the NHS and they all recognise that the current waste and inefficiency would also be reduced if staff were held more accountable. For the last several decades, giving more money to the NHS has been like pouring water into a bucket with a hole in it - pointless.

@ThinkAboutItTomorrow

Oh *@Cheekypeach* your kind of sweet. Those numbers are just daft.

In the US to see a doctor without insurance is $200-600

A basic broken leg costs $2500. If you need surgery for that leg it'd be $17000.

If you thinking those nominal amounts should be on top of taxes as a sort of booster I think it's not a terrible idea. As long as no one receiving benefits paid it.

Why do so many people immediately think of a US model as the automatic alternative to current NHS?

Anyone want to argue with that?

Me. Healthcare should be equally available depending on need, not income.

And your insurance will be very expensive if you have type one diabetes and a disability, and earn the average wage.

This is exactly what the Tory government have planned all along. Underfund until people say it’s not fit for purpose.
You for one would be happy to pay. You for one must be able to afford to pay!! Stinks of I’d be alright jack!! What if you couldn’t afford to pay?

@Cheekypeach the Swiss pay 50% more per person for healthcare than we do.

So $6000 per person per year Vs $4000.

That's much higher taxes to cover those on low income. And your own cover on top. And a chunk of it goes to shareholders.

@GreenLunchBox

OP you're saying this because you can afford it.

A disabled type 1 diabetic who complains about paying tax for the NHS being the reason she doesn't go private.

She can't afford it. She's on a wind up

Thought as much, but she is pretending that she can afford it. That is the wind up.

@Cheekypeach "I said preferably partially privatised.

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."

LMAO this really shows how little the average person knows about the cost of health care. How would this be partial privatisation?! You realise the cost of maternity is about £20-40k and consultant appointments are £300 per appt 😩

People like you really have no idea

Good for you. You'd rather pay more.

You do realise some of us are actually going to be choosing between heating and eating this year, do you? Privatising the NHS means that a lot of folks will do what my granny did before 1948 which was NOT call the doctor out because she couldn't afford to pay. Even when she was in pain and even when she was giving birth. Because the family had no money for a doctor's bill.

Should poor women die in childbirth because they can't afford treatment? Or how about cancer patients? They'll be pretty expensive I imagine.

This article on the USA shows the reality.

www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-04-03/what-it-s-like-living-without-health-insurance-in-america