NHS Privatisation/Reform

[JLArthur]

What does everyone think of privatisation of our NHS system? As someone that is in complete support of privatisation, paid prescriptions and appointments to alleviate pressure on our healthcare system I'm interested in what others think. I feel like we have no alternative, no money, not enough resources and skilled healthcare professionals are available, many are choosing to work over seas.

Unless you're destitute or an immigrant/asylum seeker in need of immediate medical assistance on arrival then we should be paying for the healthcare and prescriptions received. Whether that's paid for by private insurance policy or without. With private treatment you'll benefit from reduced waiting times, more time to talk to your doctor, less time in waiting rooms and you sometimes be assigned a case worker who will support you through treatments.

Excellent first post, OP. Of course we can't continue with the current model - it hasn't been fit for purpose for decades. I know so many people who are NHS staff and they all agree that it needs to be accountable, professional and properly funded - probably via an insurance system.

Thank you, much appreciated. And agreed!

Those prices are pittance for medical care. Enough to stop people misusing services.

Because that has been tried time and time again and made little difference because whilst it remains free at point of use then demand will always exceed supply.

amp.theguardian.com/politics/2002/apr/17/economy.uk1

And then what happened 3 years later?

With all due respect, are you quite well? Two years for a GP appointment? I'm sorry that you feel you've received sub-standard care but that sounds like an individual localised problem.

Actually, it really isn't going that way. What part of me actually working in the NHS do you not understand?

Excellent assessment.

Very well, thanks to private healthcare, thank you. You’re one person in the NHS and trust me! The country is aggravated by the current NHS. Try waiting 22 hours on a hospital floor because it’s so busy and no beds.

@SnakesAndArrows

"Raise taxes. Keep it equitable. "

Taxation is already at a record 70 year high since WW2:

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/jeremy-hunt-obr-paul-johnson-people-office-for-budget-responsibility-b2451849.html

Do you seriously think anyone’s getting an appointment for a stubbed toe?"

Absolutely yes, A&E visits for sunburn and such like are not uncommon.

There's a lot of scaremongering about the NHS. Contrary to popular belief, not all of it is shit. There's actually masses of NHS services meeting targets, giving patients a good service and people are pleased. Doesn't make the front page though.

I wouldn't want a private healthcare. Even with private dentistry people speculate over unnecessary procedures to make money. Do you really want that with your brain surgery....

Exactly! Loads of time wasters.

Well done on yet another patronising 'I'm alright Jack' comment (also not even 1% as amusing as you think you are). We are not blind and we are not stupid. We know there are issues, and issues largely caused by cuts in funding from the Tory government. But to try and convince someone who has spent their whole career within the NHS (and I'm not the only one on this thread) that we are absolutely heading towards privatisation when we aren't is ridiculous.

As an NHS nurse I am not sure what the answer is but it feels like it is about to implode. Some of the things I see patients, demanding an ambulance to get them home as they have no one available,.and why should they pay for a taxi or paracetamol ( all ages) The trouble is when something is free at the point of contact people don't recognise the value. That is just a small example but I think a symptom of the wider feelings towards 'I have paid my stamp' I am entitled. I also see so many people who have been failed by the GP or waitee hours for an ambulance and feel like I have to apologise. It is almost embarrassing to say I work for the NHS.

I need a drug locker on my ward it is just £100 it keeps being turned down as there is no money until the new financial year. Meanwhile a risk exists.
I think we will probably need to start paying for services at some point. The NHS is not fit for purpose as a nurse of over 20 years it kills me to see what is being done to it. A lot of us are desperately holding it together but it is almost pointless.

No way , a big no to privatisation! DD has complex medical needs and wouldn’t get health insurance and would probably die without the NHS !
I think anyone who even thinks that privatisation is the answer must have the privilege of perfect health and wealth and ignorance!!

This just appeared on the thread. Please do open your eyes and see how bad things are!

As an NHS nurse I am not sure what the answer is but it feels like it is about to implode. Some of the things I see patients, demanding an ambulance to get them home as they have no one available,.and why should they pay for a taxi or paracetamol ( all ages) The trouble is when something is free at the point of contact people don't recognise the value.

It is currently 54 weeks wait for elective treatment at my trust, whilst the CEO has received a nice bonus (equivalent to a band 5's yearly wage).

I’m glad you commented.

100! Some are blind to the problems and claim the NHS is perfect because they work in it.

If you can afford private healthcare which you've pointed out numerous times. (Good for you) why are you so bothered? It's pretty obvious given the current cost of living crisis and people who can't afford to heat their houses or feed their families are not in a position to pay for healthcare. I'm not saying the NHS is faultless but like I said it's a lifeline.

Some areas of the NHS are an absolute joke.

'Sorry, we can't be bothered to help you diagnose this condition. I know it's been going on for 8 years and you've described it in detail, but maybe try keeping a log? So that we can ignore you again next time.'

I'd happily pay for some things to be subsidised and (maybe) get a decent standard of service.

Right now there's a big gap between where it's either bullshit NHS service or £500 just to get a diagnosis.

Some things should always be free, of course. Nobody can self fund cancer treatment etc.

@SnakesAndArrows

After the Conservatives came to power it dropped marginally from 10% in 2010 to 9.8 / 9.7% but has since increased to 12% in 2023.

I know you desperately want to make this a Tory v Labour story but the fact is NHS spending as a % of GDP is higher today (12%) than under the height of Labour spending in 2010 ((10%).

But even if you increased it to say 15% then it still wouldn't make any difference if you don't control demand.

It would be appalling to suddenly switch to an entirely different system overnight, I hope you're not suggesting that. And I don't support a complete change I. E. USA

There are some no brainers though...

• Charging for missed appointments

• Small charge for GP appointments

• Charge for wasting paramedics time

• Charge the financially-healthy OAPs for treating ambulances like a taxi service. I have been utterly appalled recently at how abused the NHS (paramedics inparticular) by an elderly person I know. Family very capable of transporting their relative but no need when you can just call an ambulance to come and take them back and forth to hospital in a complete non-emergency. God knows how much they've cost the NHS the last 10 years.

And where in that message does it indicate that this poster feels that privatisation is the way forward? Those behaviours described outline unreasonable patient expectations above anything else.

For the last fucking time, I work in the NHS - I work there every day, day in, day out, quite often seven days a week, I do hundreds of hours a year in unpaid overtime - I DON'T NEED TO OPEN MY EYES WHEN I AM LITERALLY IMMERSED IN IT

What the NHS needs is more funding, not privatisation. But as I can see from your other comments you don't care that people may end up either dying or going bankrupt because they can't afford care, so it's pointless engaging with you any further. Just remember your cushy private hospitals don't have emergency treatment facilities.

@JLArthur

"Exactly! Loads of time wasters."

+++

Or to be more accurate loads of people who are time rich and are able to waste time.

The NHS should be funded by taxation, not private insurance.

Which part of basic fairness do some people not understand?