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Original poster

Will the NHS become partially privatised soon?

91 replies

PRFarm · 14/02/2025 16:35

With the wait time being absolutely ridiculous in A & E do you think the NHS will end up privatised?

For things like minor work injuries that are pretty quick to deal with I think I'd rather just pay a fee to be seen and sorted sooner than spend 10 hours waiting.

OP posts:
Iamallowedtodisagreewithyou · 14/02/2025 16:37

Over.

My.
Dead.
Body.

LavenderFields7 · 14/02/2025 16:38

I hope so! I would rather pay £20 and get a same day GP appointment 💯

RadStag · 14/02/2025 16:38

It already is

sesquipedalian · 14/02/2025 16:45

I don’t think A and E will be privatised, but it seems inevitable that we will end up with some sort of co-payment system. The world has changed since the NHS was set up: modern medicine can do so much more - at a price - and people seem to expect it to provide everything and to all-comers. People seem happy enough to shell out for their cars - I don’t think it’s that unreasonable for them to pay a little towards their own healthcare. Nobody wants a system like America, though, and I fear that if the government doesn’t step in and introduce a system like France, Germany or Australia, then we will end up with privatisation by the back door, where those who can, end up paying for treatment, and those who can’t end up with a very sub-standard service.

AgnesX · 14/02/2025 16:48

Iamallowedtodisagreewithyou · 14/02/2025 16:37

Over.

My.
Dead.
Body.

Well yes, but I think demand is pushing it ever more in that direction. And as always money is always a driver.

The timeline... anyone's guess.

PS equally I don't agree with it.

WinterMorn · 14/02/2025 16:49

It already is!

ILiedToJimmyNail · 14/02/2025 16:51

We can only hope OP.
Maybe when we pay we'll get a better service!

gamerchick · 14/02/2025 16:52

That's what reform are planning isn't it?

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 14/02/2025 16:52

We are on that road already: pay for the dentist, pay for the optician, pay for hearingaids, pay for treatments to help mobility. Our GP surgery tries, but they are just overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of patients that have to treat, let alone the conditions with which they present. I would cheerfully pay for a GP like the engaged doctors we had pre Covid, who knew us for more than twenty years.

I don’t know what the answer is ; my friend in France ( where I used to live) complains that her experience has fallen off a cliff since Covid too (and they have a lot of resentment building that not everyone pays towards their treatment whilst presenting with unusual and complex pre conditions).

ThisNeverEndingShitShow · 14/02/2025 16:53

things like minor work injuries that are pretty quick to deal with

If they are minor do they actually need medical attention?

ScaryM0nster · 14/02/2025 16:55

It already is in terms of provider - a lot of services are delivered by private companies.

If you mean paying for more at point of use, then I can see the scope of ‘free’ NHS services reducing and an increased of de of private services.

eg. Round us it’s now pretty straightforward to get a private gp appointment whereas 10 years ago that was unheard of.

Snorlaxo · 14/02/2025 16:55

Considering the mess of dentistry I hope not but I think that small charges like being fined for missing an appointment are acceptable.

Snowmanscarf · 14/02/2025 16:55

Hopefully the NHS will stay free to all. There are already options to see doctors privately, costing between £50-100.

Nevertrustacop · 14/02/2025 16:57

It is surely? No one has NHS dentistry. South East here and most people who can afford it would pay for a GP appointment. Most people I know (teachers, therapists, postman, so not super rich) would and do pay for cataracts, hearing aids, even hip replacement. Everyone is paying for weight loss injections or fertility treatment or speech therapy if needed.
Every year the list grows.

Lifelover16 · 14/02/2025 16:58

Already is -
GPs have been private contractors since inception of NHS
Opticians largely private
Dentists private
Many imaging services are private and contacted to do NHS work
Hospital catering, laundry, cleaning - all outsourced to private companies
Many pharmacies issuing prescriptions under the NHS umbrella are owned by overseas companies

mintjim · 14/02/2025 17:04

sesquipedalian · 14/02/2025 16:45

I don’t think A and E will be privatised, but it seems inevitable that we will end up with some sort of co-payment system. The world has changed since the NHS was set up: modern medicine can do so much more - at a price - and people seem to expect it to provide everything and to all-comers. People seem happy enough to shell out for their cars - I don’t think it’s that unreasonable for them to pay a little towards their own healthcare. Nobody wants a system like America, though, and I fear that if the government doesn’t step in and introduce a system like France, Germany or Australia, then we will end up with privatisation by the back door, where those who can, end up paying for treatment, and those who can’t end up with a very sub-standard service.

This is already happening.

Ph3 · 14/02/2025 17:06

I think the NHS cannot continue as it is. Impossible. I think users need to pay for the service they are using even a nominal fee such as £10 for an appointment and for any tests they require.

LoopyLoopyLoo · 14/02/2025 17:35

It already is.

MegTheForgetfulCat · 14/02/2025 17:37

PRFarm · 14/02/2025 16:35

With the wait time being absolutely ridiculous in A & E do you think the NHS will end up privatised?

For things like minor work injuries that are pretty quick to deal with I think I'd rather just pay a fee to be seen and sorted sooner than spend 10 hours waiting.

Pay to be seen by whom? If everyone has paid, then what?

IDontHateRainbows · 14/02/2025 17:37

Newsflash. It already has for lots of procedures / treatments.

MegTheForgetfulCat · 14/02/2025 17:37

LavenderFields7 · 14/02/2025 16:38

I hope so! I would rather pay £20 and get a same day GP appointment 💯

With what GP?

Ph3 · 14/02/2025 17:38

IDontHateRainbows · 14/02/2025 17:37

Newsflash. It already has for lots of procedures / treatments.

What sort of treatments do you pay in the NHS?

MegTheForgetfulCat · 14/02/2025 17:39

Ph3 · 14/02/2025 17:06

I think the NHS cannot continue as it is. Impossible. I think users need to pay for the service they are using even a nominal fee such as £10 for an appointment and for any tests they require.

The trouble with a nominal fee is that there would be so many exemptions that it would be totally pointless (particularly if the exemptions included everyone over state pension age, for example).

IDontHateRainbows · 14/02/2025 17:41

Ph3 · 14/02/2025 17:38

What sort of treatments do you pay in the NHS?

Show quote history

So my adhd consultant is private
I had a scan that was private
Physio was private

All private providers paid by the nhs

I'm sure there's plenty more

Iamallowedtodisagreewithyou · 14/02/2025 17:42

MegTheForgetfulCat · 14/02/2025 17:39

The trouble with a nominal fee is that there would be so many exemptions that it would be totally pointless (particularly if the exemptions included everyone over state pension age, for example).

Show quote history

Yes. Or especially if the exemptions included everyone over state pension age!