To think the time has come to abolish the NHS healthcare model

[OptimismvsRealism]

Free at the point of use also means denial of care to a lot of people. What torture to know that new medications are arriving regularly (eg lecanemab) but it's only for the very wealthy.

The UK is different from how it was in 1948. We should be brave enough to move on from then.

Completely unbearable. I think if this happens to my husband I'll die in prison.

@QueenOfTheSouth123

I like the idea of using Inheritance tax for social care but your post indicates part of the problem

Your dad's care was £200,000,

You're suggesting a percentage of estate that comes to £15,000

It doesn't add up

Plus what happens to families who provide care to the families themselves - that should benefit them, not cost them twice

I don't see why people shouldn't pay it from their savings or homes either - those are their assets. Their assets should be used for their needs.

So it’s okay for taxes to house, feed and care for you, just not others, I see.

Tell me you’ve never heard of the Laffer Curve without telling me you’ve never heard of the Laffer Curve.

There is also personal responsibility. Between 11-20% hospital appointments are not attended with no notice. People don't attend or cancel as it doesnt cost them anything.
The DNA rate in private clinics are almost 0%
There is a lackadaisical attitude to use of healthcare by the public and by some staff in the NHS. That culture needs to change

I "sit around like a slug" (revolting description) due to being disabled by a genetic condition

I am also a higher rate tax payer, am an expert in a highly valued field and volunteer for a charity.

I'm from the Netherlands originally and their insurance based model is not bad - but it is also not that good. Be very careful when you wish the NHS away.

Also Lecanemab is a very bad hill to die on - it isn't a good drug and has been refused approval in many places. There's a lot more work to be done to develop a safe and effective treatment for dementia.

Hahaha very good.

Utter bullshit

Some ICBs don't fund particular treatments despite NICE approval. An example is rheumatology biological and biological used to treat age-related macular degeneration not funded by South West London ICB.

If we made the NHS a paid for service for people who smoke, or who are obese, this would help a lot.

Im aware of all the whataboutery arguments (skiers etc) but the reality is that the above two are the biggest factors in the spiralling cost of the NHS. It would be a good place to start.

If you can afford private health care you can afford to pay extra taxes to fund social healthcare.

The NHS is one of the cheapest healthcare models in the world.

Specifically how? There is no social contract any more. The NHS is no use to me. Why do I pay for it?

Yes, neither of those are ADHD medication of herpes treatments.

And do you count the chronically ill/disabled among those who you perceive as 'sitting around like slugs'?

A lot of health boards won't. Herpes suppression is not provided by the NHS where I live. They don't approve of it. If I want to have sex with my kidney diseased husband without putting him at added risk I have to pay £200 every 84 days. And no I cannot afford it I just don't have any alternative

I think the discussion should be on the principle of it. Lecanemab is first in class. The first treatments often have low efficacy but they are proof of concept that it can be done - in this case, the disease can be slowed. There are other treatments in phase 1 and 2 - that look pretty good. They will not be cheap and the cost to deliver will be significant

Now is the time to be having these discussions. And they are being had by the leadership of course but the public view point is important too

I am chronically I'll and so is my partner and so are my parents. None of us are being cared for adequately by the extortionate NHS.

Can you name these health boards that do not offer ADHD medication?

Indeed - I gave the example because it is typically how ICBs work. They do not always fund NICE approved treatments even ones that are life-enhancing

These people had the choice to pay for critical illness insurance, but chose not too.

Of course I have a lot of empathy with anybody who is struggling with their health, but the difficult financial circumstances that come with serious illness could have been avoided with better planning.

I have used the NHS extensively for many years for many different things - autoimmune disease, cancer twice, lymphoma, , Bariatric, arthritis and more. DH used it extensively before he died, mostly Parkinson's and psychosis/mental health problems, I've used it for DS who has severe ASD and LD - so also much use of social services, care system. My sister and her husband have used it extensively over the years for many things as have other family members. Not all the same area or same hospitals but SE. It has been outstanding

No.

Everything that the private sector has touched has turned to shit: utilities, transport...so if that is what you suggest then absolutely not.

'The NHS is one of the worst systems in the developed world and it is responsible for the UK's really poor productivity.'

Again no. You only have to look at the American system to realise how lucky we are not to have a health system based on people's ability to pay and mercenary private insurances who often refuse to fund essential drugs and surgeries...

The NHS is not perfect and it needs to become more efficient but that is the government job.

My GP literally saved my life last year.

And those of us who were born disabled?