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.

I don't think it would work. I used to work in a pharmacy in a fairly average area. The majority of our customers didn't pay for their prescriptions. The ones that did pay were only occasionally getting medication.

I'm assuming that the exceptions for not having to pay for appointments would be the same or similar to the current exceptions for prescriptions. I think it's mostly elderly people, young children and pregnant women who visit our GP surgery. They would be exempt from paying. Most of the people who would pay would also very rarely visit the dr surgery.

I don't think so you hear stories everyday of people dying after being dismissed by drs. But even on a less extreme end of things How long on average is it to get a diagnosis for endometriosis?

So many flaws to this idea. There are many people who cannot afford to spend money on lattes and cappuccinos who would also be unable to afford to go to see the doctor when they need to. I have a chronic pain condition, it has taken me years and multiple appointments to even get a GP to listen to me and work to get pain medication sorted let alone any sort of diagnosis. As I go through menopause I will need regular appointments to help me avoid a higher risk of osteoporosis due to a genetic condition. Should I have to pay more than other women. GPs can be valuable in helping people identify and leave abusive relationships, what if that £5 charge per appointment is noticed by the abuser?

Given that endometriosis is often asymptomatic or symptoms are at the end of normal menstrual symptoms it is not surprising that it takes a while to recognise.

It would change the whole dynamic, with people ceasing to think of themselves as patients and instead as paying customers - even if the amount they contribute is only a fraction of the true cost.

People would demand much better healthcare - maybe to an unrealistic level - and on their own terms. Demands on GP surgery staff would increase sharply and people would refuse to be fobbed off or asked to keep coming back another time.

People would also be much more selective about whether they go to the GP or not, BUT not based on the right reasons. A millionaire with an annoying sniffly cold could toddle along without thinking twice; whereas a very poor person who fears they may have cancer, or diabetes, or meningitis - or maybe more likely has symptoms of this that they don't appreciate the severity of - could put off getting it checked out, and it could well end up too late for them.

So should we become a country that lets the poorest in society go with out medical care because they can not afford to pay to see their GP.Over 60's bodies begin to get many different illnesses, so the cost would add up .The low waged can't always afford to waste £5-£10, they need it for food or bills.We will have sick people,in pain, suffering in silence because they just can't afford to pay each time to see a GP .I think some people just don't want to see old people getting something for free, they just don't like the old really

People already make demands that are unrealistic.

This is common in other countries and I think we would simply get used to it.

We would adjust our expectations and maybe start to actually appreciate health care and health care professionals a bit more - maybe actually listening to what they say if we're paying for it rather than immediately saying they're wrong because Dr google says otherwise and demanding a second opinion.

Anyway, too late for me now. (and the continuation of free universal healthcare)

8 to 10 years to get a diagnosis. Speak to anyone who has the diagnosis and they will tell you how they was repeatedly dismissed by drs. What about sepsis up to 20% of cases are missed by drs. I could go on.

Personally I have always had excellent service from NHS doctors. I think the nurses are fantastic too but I don't want to pay for GP appointments..I am not claiming my pension yet,so I pay for my prescriptions and am on a low wage There will be many people over 55 but not pension age,in similar position.

I think some people just don't want to see old people getting something for free, they just don't like the old really

Thd old who can pay should pay -there should be a cap like with prescriptions. It won’t raise much if you exclude all old people. there are already more over 65s than under 15s. Recognising the huge shift in demographics & the fact there are associated economic pressures with governments doing little to plan for it doesn’t equal disliking the old. Some struggle to understand the difference though.

As mentioned above, it is unrealistic to expect diagnosis to be perfect all the time. Unless we were monitored constantly Star trek style, you can only go on the symptoms that are actually visible at the time the person is seen.

No one can predict the future.

This is a really good point about changing expectations, even for a nominal fee.
I imagine that some patients would become insufferable with a "the customer is always right" type of attitude.

If i was paying id expect them to listen to what I had to say. You think people are entitled now you wait. Id also be significantly quicker to sue if id paid. Ive been almost killed so many times by drs and have let it go and tried to understand mistakes happen but if im paying my expectations will be significantly higher.

Absolutely this. If it's 'only' £115 or whatever, how would the people who dismiss this as trivial feel about being charged a routine £115 'admin fee' each year for the GP, just because they are lucky enough to enjoy excellent health and never need to see them?

There is a lot wrong with the NHS, but as somebody with a life-limiting illness requiring a lot of medication and healthcare, I love the fact that we don't punish people financially in this country for suffering from poor health.

The devil is in the details OP, but systems like this seem to work well in other places.

Overall I think something like a European style system seems to work best. I understand why people like theidea of a free at point of use model for all, I really do, but in the end that's an ideological thing. I'm pragmatic, what actually produces a good working healthcare system.

I am not sure what old people you know but most of them I know are on the breadline

As someone who has a phobia about all things medical, putting a charge on seeing a GP would just be another barrier to me getting help.

If I paid more I would want a better service, more appointments on the weekends & in the evenings for one.

Yeah and home visits...

Interesting idea. But I think a charge would put people off. It certainly would’ve put me off going to see the doctor about a lump that turned out to be cancer. I only went because my mum made me.

Maybe a charge for no shows? Or second no show.

My GP apparently can see the future
(Sorry was supposed to be quoting a post but it disappeared)

The blood tests I had 18 months ago came back "normal" every single one of my original symptoms has persisted and now have additional ones but according to my GP they don't need to ever repeat blood tests because they were fine 18 months ago and it's just anxiety. 🤔

Apparently blood tests never change , so there's little point in me going back. So I guess if they want to save money they can just tell us it's all in our heads 🤷

I figure it's either going to worsen to the point I end up hospitalised, at which point they might actually try and find out what's wrong or ill end up dead 🫠

As an aside I don't actually mind paying for my prescriptions, I have a PPC which is about £11 a month and being on about 7 different meds or saves money. But also all of those meds actually help and treat me. Same can't be said for paying for a GP appointment....

Swedish model max out at £115 per year. Yes it sounds good. I'm going to say more or less everyone could afford this. It's £2 per week fgs. Less than one school lunch, the same as a bus fare. I'm sure we would prefer not to pay, but if our health depended on it, we would re prioritise and pay.

It would end up being the type that don’t work and already get lots of bloody benefits that get free appointments, and yet those in lower paid jobs who probably come out with less who would have to pay

What is the French system?