NHS should charge people

[Brideandpredjudice]

AIBU to think that people should be charged a fee for wasting the time and resources of the NHS and to think this might help with some of the current problems?

I was just reading a thread where someone had purposely done something that they shouldn't have done before their appointment, which meant it couldn't go ahead. Why do people think this is okay?

We can't continue to have a free health service if it's misused like this and perhaps the only way to deter people would be with a fine. No idea if or how this would work in actuality and how they would police genuine mistakes from accidents, but it's so infuriating. They should at least be pushed back to the bottom of the queue.

I recently had to pay for an appointment because the waiting list was over 12 months. I wonder how much shorter it would be without all the missed appointments etc.

They do punish none attendees in a way - usually put you to the bottom of the waiting list. This is a good idea because people who have failed to attend their appointments clearly don’t need the treatment if they forget.

A reasonable flat charge for every visit for everyone not on UC would very likely make people value the service more.

I always find it extraordinary when people in the UK talk about how lucky you are with the NHS.

Its really not that great at all. In comparison to medical care here in Spain where I live, or in several other European countries, it is absolutely appalling and known to be so. My rheumatologist and gynocologist have both chatted to me about their incredulity at the poor service offered in their respective areas in the UK and how medical professionals in other countries cannot understand how it is allowed.
The NHS is hyped up. The fact is the British government doesn't spend enough.oney on it, what money they do spend is poorly managed and they then blame patients for "using it too much".

Agree with @Misunderestimated though.

The NHS is being killed off by underfunded. I wonder why.

Oh my days!

I've paid just short of 40 years NI contributions. Should I now just fuck off and die?

I have ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and I'm 7months pregnant. Someone like me has a lot of appointments. There's no "reasonable charge" for that .

*underfunding

Maybe, maybe not. It's possible to gain "credits" for state benefits without actually paying any NIC.

Why should a pensioner with an income of £50k pay no NIC when a 25 year old earning £25k has to?

I think either NIC needs to be expanded to ALL forms of income, or it needs scrapping and income tax rates increased instead.

The UK tax system is now disproportionally hitting "workers" - we've had numerous NIC increases over the past 20 years but no income tax increases. How is that fair?

How about dementia sufferers, or those with MH issues? Or those with complex medical conditions where managing appointments is a constant battle and you almost need an appointments clerk yourself?

@BambinaJAS
Ok then who's going to pay for baby/child appointments? They've paid nothing. Why should children or babies, who have paid nothing in taxes , get free medical care?

That’s because it’s not true. It probably says this is how much money would be wasted if there was a no show.

Fines are very inefficient to administer, but I agree with the principle that people should be prevented from abusing the NHS, and that thread is a good example of abuse.

singapore have a points allocation - if you miss appointments then you’ve used the points. It prevents wastage and encourages people to take responsibility

There's definitely a trend in my trust if you miss an appointment you get kicked off the list and have to be re-referred and restart the waiting list.

I have 2 DC with lots of appointments. I missed one once, they'd rung me to rearrange. I think it was originally the 12th, they rearranged to the 16th and I accidently wrote the 19th. I only realised when I got a text telling me my child had been removed. Had to go through the complaints process to get reinstated

So what’s the alternative? Just continue as we are with waiting lists getting longer, yet so many people failing to attend appointments when there are people desperately waiting for treatment?

I work in a GP, really don't get me started, all you poor sods who can't get appointments I get at least 3 patients fail to attend a day for a doctor and 2 or 3 for the nurse. Then the ones that do see the GP demand a referral, colleagues at surgery and the clinic arrange referrel, pateint doesn't turned up, arrange scans, blood test Xrays people don't turn up Apparently is costs the NHS MILLIONS of pounds per year for missed appoinments.

Exactly this. It would probably cost more than it brings in, otherwise I would imagine they would have done it already.

also, just being a pedant here, the person in the other thread went ahead with that endoscopy as planned.

Definitely lots to consider. I totally agree that this would affect those who need it most and that it would only be paid by those who already pay everything else.

What's obvious is that if it is to survive, the NHS needs a serious overhaul. I'm sure we would be sickened to see how much money was wasted if there was some kind of real investigation done.

I think the misuse of A&E is getting worse, but that's likely to do with the fact that it's virtually impossible to see your GP these days. It seems every problem you think about leads you to another, and another....

This doesn't surprise me at all, sadly

Always been against charges but after realising what the Spaniards pay and how much better their HS is, i ve changed my mind.

A better HS would mean you'd be listened too and as with most things, means and ways can be found to help those who can't pay or see the Doc's very frequently.

Maybe if you can get through to cancel the appointment in the first place people wouldn't be missing appointments needlessly. Being on hold for 30 odd minutes, transferred to receptionists that will then rebook or don't cancel properly.....yeah sure let's punish the patient trying to do the right thing. Ffs.

They so desperately need an online system for things like this

It isn't free, we pay for it with N.I contributions.
It's only free at the point of delivery, unless you pay for prescriptions, so for most people it's not free even then.
Instead of charging people twice, maybe three times for their treatment, they ought to be charging the health tourists!!
Their insurers owe millions to the NHS which is never chased up!

Under this new charging scheme, would I get a refund on my NI for NHS services not available in my area?

We have loads of people who don't bother to turn up time and time again then ring up demanding to be seen immediately when their symptoms worsen. If I make a mistake with the appointments which is rare I'll always see them even if it means missing lunch.

I agree.
Unfortunately the grey vote is very powerful and politicians dare not upset them.