NHS doctors comment

[RaindropsRainbows]

I saw an NHS consultant today, and during the consultation, as he was taking notes and going through my medical history, he asked what I did for a living. I told him I worked for an investment bank. He looked at me and said, “Oh, you must be very rich.” I replied, “Haha, not as rich as you think.” After the consultation, he mentioned that I would need medication and asked if I wanted a prescription. I said yes, please. Then, he told me that I could also buy the medication over the counter and added that NHS shouldn’t be subsidizing rich bankers like me. Is this normal? Are prescriptions now based on your job? I could be working in an investment bank’s canteen washing dishes for minimum wage (I am not but that’s not the point). AIBU?

Was he not joking?

Are the meds possibly cheaper to buy than the cost of a prescription?

He could have been trying to save you money, as we all know, every little helps, or something like that!

My GP always tells me if something is available over the counter. It’s usually cheaper than a prescription charge so everyone’s a winner!

They are not supposed to prescribe some meds that can be bought unless they feel the patient can’t afford them (but that’s a tricky call to make). Often they are cheaper to buy too.

I imagine that whatever you were being prescribed was cheaper otc?

Obviously it was said tongue in cheek but it just felt somewhat wrong.

The doctor certainly shouldn’t be making snide comments like that. The whole point of the NHS is that it’s available equally to everyone - old or young, male or female, rich or poor. It’s true that some people do milk the system by requesting NHS prescriptions for medications which they could buy over the counter (e.g. paracetamol) but doesn’t sound like that applies to you. Doctor was probably just tired and underpaid; try not to take it personally.

RaindropsRainbows · Today 19:35

Strawberryfruitcorner · Today 19:28
Was he not joking?
Obviously it was said tongue in cheek but it just felt somewhat wrong

So take it that way and get on with your life, maybe? ….

I didn't! Just laughed and left. But it's the first time I heard that NHS was subsidising me

Meds are cheaper on prescription

He should not have said that.

Tell them in the future that you do something else.

It will stop stupid comments like this one from those eho should know better

Tbf, OP, if you were working a minimum wage job, or even in any other non-finance position, you are unlikely to say you work for an investment bank

I would have forgotten about this banal interaction immediately.

Sounds like shit banter if you ask me but I couldn’t get offended by it, I might tell someone in real life in passing but I wouldn’t dwell on it.

Sometimes human beings say things that aren’t perfect or quite right in the moment but if you say it was tongue in cheek I’d just get over it.

Tbh it does cost the NHS tons when people go to the doctors for things they could buy themselves. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, athletes foot cream, thrush treatment, cold sore cream.

YABU you should have just bought it yourself. I would and I’m not even a worker in the finance industry!

Tell him that you pay plenty of tax and NI so you'll take the prescription thanks

Doctor was probably just tired and underpaid; try not to take it personally.

NHS Consultants are not underpaid.

This!

It was a joke , you’ve said yourself it was said tongue in cheek so why give it any further thought

You’re overthinking it. Just forget it and move on.

Some doctors really are thick as mince! I have a friend who is one when I said that everyone where I work (also finance) pays income tax via PAYE. She seriously thought we dodged tax! Like WTF?

I have/had some NHS doctor friends, the level of resentment, insecurity and jealousy is insane!

Some think all other professions are beneath them, not deserving the high salaries those jobs offer.

Sounds like it was a joke. Doesn’t sound like something to get worked up about or even dwell on.