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Original poster

To think Rishi has made it clear he has private health provision

105 replies

Kinnorafron · 09/01/2023 07:56

After 13 years of Tory destruction of the health service I can see why - but what about people who can't afford it?

OP posts:
Oystersandwhelks · 09/01/2023 08:01

It's inconceivable that he wouldn't have it, and the conversation should be on that basis.

Original poster
Kinnorafron · 09/01/2023 08:07

I am not sure all the wealthy Tories have it - but he made it clear that he does. It further cements my view that he is out of touch and not especially interested in the UK.

OP posts:
Darthwazette · 09/01/2023 08:12

Personally I think it’s great if the very wealthy have their own private health provision, it reduces the strain in the NHS for those of us who can’t afford to go private.

ApolloandDaphne · 09/01/2023 08:12

Why wouldn't he? We do even though we are not rich like Rishi. We get it though DHs workplace. It's an alternative that has always been available.

ShufflingSlippers · 09/01/2023 08:12

He's worth 750 million. Of course he's going to have private health insurance.
No one who has that amount of money will never be able to relate to anyone who doesn't have money and a good standard of living.
Just as we can't imagine having an endless pot of money and the lifestyle that brings, he can't imagine having an empty pot as he's never experienced it.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 09/01/2023 08:15

Of course he does, and why shouldn't he if he can afford it?

Fedupofdiets · 09/01/2023 08:15

Do you seriously think he spends 1.5 hours at 8am being 15000000 in the queue only to get through eventually and be told there are no appointments available to treat little Anoushkas brittle asthma?

Seainasive · 09/01/2023 08:15

I would hope so! I really don’t want our PM to spend his mornings in hold to the local surgery to try to get an appointment.

no-one else should have to either of course.

AnyFucker · 09/01/2023 08:15

I don’t understand why this is even a question

Did anyone seriously think a multi millionaire would be queuing for an appointment at 8 am in the rain with all the methadone users down at the local health centre ?

Equally, do his kids go to the local inadequately funded school ? No, of course they don’t.

I do wish the media would ask useful questions

Whycanineverever · 09/01/2023 08:16

He couldn't win. If he said he didn't have it people would ask why he was taking resources away from the NHS when he can afford to go private. Surely all the people with private healthcare are actually helping NHS by reducing demand.....

Wibbly1008 · 09/01/2023 08:17

That is where we are heading because NHS is no longer fit for purpose and we can’t keep throwing money at it

Grumpybutfunny · 09/01/2023 08:18

Whycanineverever · 09/01/2023 08:16

He couldn't win. If he said he didn't have it people would ask why he was taking resources away from the NHS when he can afford to go private. Surely all the people with private healthcare are actually helping NHS by reducing demand.....

This ^^^ the only people I know who don't have private health cover through work are those working for the NHS or local government.

NEmama · 09/01/2023 08:19

Fyi if you can afford private health insurance and don't get it as a benefit from your employer you are pretty well off.

MarshaBradyo · 09/01/2023 08:19

I don’t get where this has come from. In the US the President will have a fill in house medical team but the PM in the U.K. has to go to the local GP or we’re doomed

Original poster
Kinnorafron · 09/01/2023 08:19

Whycanineverever · 09/01/2023 08:16

He couldn't win. If he said he didn't have it people would ask why he was taking resources away from the NHS when he can afford to go private. Surely all the people with private healthcare are actually helping NHS by reducing demand.....

It's not quite as simple as saying it reduces demand is it? Very often it's the same doctors/consultants - there are only so many hours they can work.

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 09/01/2023 08:21

Of course he does, the point is he won’t admit it because he can’t/doesn’t want to say that everybody should have access to a decent standard of healthcare and there’s room for both, or say out loud that a proportion of the population will just have to go without and it’s just tough.

HRTQueen · 09/01/2023 08:22

Of course he has

I have its £50 a month and well worth paying I cut back in other areas to pay for it. Many of my colleagues have private healthcare we all work for the NHS

MarshaBradyo · 09/01/2023 08:22

Do PMs usually go to the waiting room at 8am for the GP?

It’s a non story

Cornettoninja · 09/01/2023 08:23

MarshaBradyo · 09/01/2023 08:19

I don’t get where this has come from. In the US the President will have a fill in house medical team but the PM in the U.K. has to go to the local GP or we’re doomed

Of course the PM doesn’t have to use an NHS GP, they can spend their money how they like. The point is that this doesn’t mean they can ignore the difference between their opportunities and the majority of the population.

HRTQueen · 09/01/2023 08:24

NEmama · 09/01/2023 08:19

Fyi if you can afford private health insurance and don't get it as a benefit from your employer you are pretty well off.

I am not well off I earn just above average wage and in a single parent

the £50 a month is cutting back in other areas but I am aware that many couldn’t not afford this

MarshaBradyo · 09/01/2023 08:27

But what’s the norm? We have a history of making the PM go to local GP but other countries have in house medical teams?

This has only come up because people like the angle, but it’s silly

In my unimportant industry private healthcare is standard. In other sectors my friends get the full whack. A leader in any country is likely to have good cover

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/01/2023 08:28

AnyFucker · 09/01/2023 08:15

I don’t understand why this is even a question

Did anyone seriously think a multi millionaire would be queuing for an appointment at 8 am in the rain with all the methadone users down at the local health centre ?

Equally, do his kids go to the local inadequately funded school ? No, of course they don’t.

I do wish the media would ask useful questions

So why didn't he just come out and say it?

lljkk · 09/01/2023 08:30

How many wealthy people don't have private HC, and do we condemn them all for not being a burden on NHS as a result : sorry, not being "in touch" ?

Can't wait until someone asks Sunak what vaccinations he & wife have had recently, or how his wife gave birth. I guess he'll be "out of touch" on those topics if he isn't explicit with his answers, there too.

GoingtotheWinchester · 09/01/2023 08:31

@HRTQueen does your £50 provide you with FULL cover? That sounds astonishingly cheap - far less than we were quoted.

MojoMoon · 09/01/2023 08:32

Given the main crisis is in A&E, it's important to point out that even if he has private health insurance, if he gets hit by a bus or falls down the stairs, it is an NHS ambulance and NHS A&E that will treat him and NHS intensive care.

There is no private intensive care or critical emergency treatment. There is only one private hospital in London that does private urgent care (broken leg, but not stroke/heart attack).

So even if you are rich, you could be dead if you have an accident or a stroke or a heart attack because of the long wait for care.

Although I assume if a request for an ambulance was made to 10 downing Street, it would most likely be prioritised.