It wouldn’t be a bad idea if we paid for GP appointments?

[Babybear260]

I’m no economist or politician but it occurred to be that if everyone (or the majority of the populn excluding students, under 18,s , pensioners and very low income households) paid, I don’t know ~£5 every time they saw a GP, could that improve the NHS?

I know many, many people that spend twice that a week on lattes and cappuccinos (including myself) so I wonder whether if the majority of the population could stump £5 per appointment it would help?? Because most people aren’t seeing GP’s weekly so surely people wouldn’t mind contributing?

sure people have thought of this before and there must be a reason why it wouldn’t work because obviously if if did, it would be an option.

EVERYONE?!

You keep throwing out ''£10k in savings'' like it is the norm for people on UC to have those savings. It may be allowed but it doesn't mean that it is common.

If it makes you feel better, I'm on UC and don't have any savings.

If it makes you feel better, I work full time, dont get uc, also don’t have any savings

Which is also the case for many people on UC.

I am on UC. The most I have ever had has been £5500, and that was because I sold a vehicle I could no longer use. I was not able to save that amount by just cutting back on things.

Nowadays I am overdrawn two weeks after being paid, and it so hard to get out of that.

So of course you’re happy someone with £4995 in the bank gets equal state benefits to you and doesn’t have to work!

What are you on about?
People on UC are allowed to have up to £6k before it affects their payments, and £16k before it stops entirely.
I am not sure what sort of point you are trying to make here. Do you think people on UC should have nothing at all?

If you are on UC and work, there is a savings scheme run by the Government called Help To Save. Everyone should have some savings.

No please, please don't encourage this idea.

The poorest would, rightly, be still entitled to free appointments but the squeezed middle would be the ones to suffer.

I wholeheartedly agree that no-shows should be fined.

Unless you’re a drone worker …how do they get to save all the benefits money when all money goes on cost of living?

The system when those who can afford it pay a bit more to the healthcare pot is caused taxes&national insurance.

You'd be just duplicating the same system.

how much is “a bit more”!

Some people are very good at budgeting and manage to save a little, when they get very little.
No one is saving "all of their benefits". It still goes on bills etc. I am still struggling to see what point you are trying to make.

I agree.
I think the point is that charging a small amount would deter time wasters and DNAs.

The most I ever had was £8k when I had DLA, UC disabled child element & UC carers element back paid because it takes so long to go through.

And yet somehow it seems to work in so many other countries. Just another example of how the British are so "special" I suppose.

OMG they make you jump through hoops to get an appointment, the annual asthma check up is a phonecall, if you need a letter to confirm medical conditions for exam arrangements they charge £15. Nope, I don't think I should pay for an appointment I only make when I need to.

Civilised not 'special

That's an ultra right wing perspective that just a small amount of study of the history of the welfare state will hopefully cure you of

In Ireland we pay for GP appointments ( free for children, over 70s, pregnancy appointments). If you earn below a certain amount you qualify for free care also.
I have health insurance, paid through my work.
I recently had a condition which involved consultants appointments and a small operation. All done under my health insurance, consultants appointment within 1 week and surgery within 3 weeks. I am in a facebook group with people in the UK who have the same condition. Most waiting months for a consultants appointment and years for surgery, waiting in pain. I was so grateful to be in Ireland and have my private health insurance.
It's far from perfect though but it is gradually improving and I think health outcomes in Ireland are now better than the UK.

In a paid system, what normally happens about things like routine screening appointments? Things like mammograms, cervical smears, etc. Also routine vaccinations such as Covid, Flu etc, childhood vaccinations. Do people pay for those? If so does it negatively impact take up rates?

No, awful idea.
Sometimes "just a fiver" can seem like a lot of money, and you don't just have it spare. Anyone struggling for money might put off seeing the doctor, or carry on thinking "nah, I'm not that bad, I'm ok" when they don't realise that yes, actually, their symptoms need looking at and treating and could be serious.

I've yet to see any sign that the UK is any more "civilised" than any other country. Are you telling me that every single person in the UK has instant access to top quality healthcare at any hour of the day or night, because if so I don't believe you. Half of MN can't seem to get a GP appointment at all.

We pay for three yearly smears, but the nurse fee not the GP fee. Mammograms, Covid and child vaccinations are free, flu vaccinations are free for over 65s and people with qualifying health conditions.

In Ireland smears, screenings, childhood vaccinations, flu/covid vaccinations for at risk groups etc are all free and massively encouraged. There is a big emphasis on preventative medicine. GP appointments for children, pregnancy and over 75s are free. Those under a certain income threshold would also qualify for free GP appointments/medical care. Everyone else usually has health insurance.