Time to abolish the NHS?

[snaw]

And you think everyone's NI contributions are enough to run the NHS indefinitely?

How long is a piece of string?

Pick and choose where we make cuts, when needed. A&E isn't one of the areas I'd put restrictions on based on sobriety ...

[snaw]

Indeed. Why should there be a million pound bill for the state to rescue some self-indulgent adventurer? Especially as such people tend to be well off any way?

You need to be loaded to climb a mountain?

News to me.

[sasguru]

That would be a debate I would happily participate in. However, someone who calls for the abolition of the NHS purely because there are problems with the management of it is simply an attention seeking troll who is trying to wind people up.

.

It's not just "problems with the management". It's the whole concept of free unlimited healthcare for all. Because treatment options are increasing all the time, its just not feasible to give the best treatment to everyone.

PS. If you are getting wound up, have you considered that your mental apparatus might not be sufficient for the discussion? That seemed to be the case when we were discussing the pharma industry.

[sasguru]

You need to be loaded to climb a mountain?

News to me.

Well I was thinking of round-the-world sailors and the like. And wasn't Branson rescued once?

[lambrini_socialist]

Well I was thinking of round-the-world sailors

i bet you were. and rubbing your glans through your trouser pocket, no doubt.

[zara_backdog]

It would be interesting to see you would restructure Healthcare if the NHS was abolished. Most of you say you can afford to go private or have Private healthcare insurance However:-

Currently no private hospital has an A&E department and is also not covered under any private healthcare insurance ( in this country) so this would have to be changed, most likely leading to a huge increase in charges.

With no NHS in the event of you or a member of your family being involved in a accident or having a heart attack ect, could you imagine having to prove you have insurance or the means to pay before you can receive treatment? Don’t forget having to pay for the ambulance as well!

“ I am sorry Mrs Smith, Jonny’s name does not show he is insured, and you credit card is up to it’s limit – can you provide us with proof that payment will be received – the bill currently is £5000 for the A&E treatment and we expect another 10 grand for the operation and aftercare. Is there anyone else’s credit card he can have?”

And think about any pre-existing conditions you suffer from may not be covered ( either excluded or your premium heavily loaded to cover any expected cost).

Also, although most of you may have a private dentist already, but what about those who are currently treated under the NHS? What if you were asked to by 4 grand for standard orthodontic treatment for your kids?

Then there is opticians, again standard eyetest’s costing 100 quid for you and your kids? ( ½ consultation fee) plus no free glasses for children.
So what if you cannot afford to pay – what do you then offer – means tested Health Care?

I agree there needs to be a reform of the NHS , and I also feel private care has it’s place as well,

So what is a workable alternative? bearing in mind not everyone are in the high income bracket.

[Ruprect]

i bet you were. and rubbing your glans through your trouser pocket, no doubt.

Good to see we've got to the personal insults stage already

[lambrini_socialist]

Good to see we've got to the personal insults stage already

come on, how can anyone NOT post innuendo when reading the words: "I was thinking of round-the-world sailors"? and as for your priapic avatar...well i'll leave that for your (NHS) psychotherapist....

[conned tractor]

I was in France a couple of days before Christmas with my family and suffered an ankle injury whilst running back to the hotel to get the camera. I jumped over a small (about 12") hedge as a shortcut and there happened to be an ornamental boulder on the other side and I went over on my ankle. Hobbled about for that evening but by the next day I couldn't put any weight on it whatsoever and it had ballooned up.

So took a taxi to local hospital in Paris suburb and was overall pleasantly surprised with the service received. The hospital itself was not the cleanest i've ever seen in such places as coridors with bits of peeling paint etc, but wasn't terrible.

I was seen by a nurse, Xrays taken and checked by consultant, prescription given (for a support to be bought at local pharmacy) and back out within about 3 or so hours, which I expected to be worse. They told me that they would send the bill to my home address which I recieved about a month or so later.

I was amazed that seeing the consultant, xrays, prescription all came to a grand total of 28 Euros. I was expecting the bill to be far more than this. Overall not a bad experience, and pleasant enough (for Parisians anyhow).

Although my pregnant wife ended up pushing me around disneyland in a rented wheelchair for the next two days. But that is another story.

If they would charge this amount in the UK then I would be more than happy to pay.

[sasguru]

come on, how can anyone NOT post innuendo when reading the words: "I was thinking of round-the-world sailors"? and as for your priapic avatar...well i'll leave that for your (NHS) psychotherapist....

About 15 I would guess. Your age and IQ, that is.