Give us your wonga to keep the NHS longer

[sasguru]

The problem here is that any suggestion of payment for healthcare gets portrayed as an attack on the poor, or the welfare state, or as part of a big right-wing elitist conspiracy and becomes a major political issue (even though we already pay for prescriptions, and indeed parking at hospitals). Whereas clearly having a small fee works pretty well for the French, doesn't appear to cause terrible harm to the poor or anyone else, and more importantly makes the standard of care much higher.

That's it in a nutshell. For anyone who works in Health Economics it's clear the UK system is unsustainable in its present form.

[The Spartan]

Perhaps if there was a small charge to see your GP the waiting room at the surgery wouldn't so full to begin with

[mos]

No mention of the recent influx of immigrants given instant free access to first world health care often to correct congenital defects - or the health tourists

What?????? If by recent immigrants you mean people like me, you just make me laugh. We have million times better doctors and nurses than UK and our drugs actually used to work. That is until Glaxo put their hands on our Polfa. I am in BUPA, but If I am seriously unwell and I need something checked and treated, be it dental, optical, tests or general issues, I always go home, where I know that I will be treated by the best.

You can enjoy that in UK version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR8tIjTykbE

[sasguru]

What?????? If by recent immigrants you mean people like me, you just make me laugh. We have million times better doctors and nurses than UK and our drugs actually used to work. That is until Glaxo put their hands on our Polfa. I am in BUPA, but If I am seriously unwell and I need something checked and treated, be it dental, optical, tests or general issues, I always go home, where I know that I will be treated by the best.

You can enjoy that in UK version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR8tIjTykbE

Really? And can you name some of these clinically-trialled drugs that were invented in Poland?

[d000hg]

Perhaps if there was a small charge to see your GP the waiting room at the surgery wouldn't so full to begin with

A token charge might help, but those on free healthcare would still not have to pay. Considering those in work have to take time off or go to the trouble to get to an appointment though, I don't think the majority are just strolling in over ever sneeze or itch in the first place.

[vetran]

Really? And can you name some of these clinically-trialled drugs that were invented in Poland?

Absolwent
Belvedere
Cracovia

[The Spartan]

A token charge might help, but those on free healthcare would still not have to pay. Considering those in work have to take time off or go to the trouble to get to an appointment though, I don't think the majority are just strolling in over ever sneeze or itch in the first place.

You'd think so but seeing as prescriptions are free in Wales, doctor's waiting rooms are full to capacity most of the time.

[sasguru]

Absolwent
Belvedere
Cracovia

ah yes I forgot those - most Poles seem to be on them - no wonder liver disease is increasing on the NHS.

[d000hg]

You'd think so but seeing as prescriptions are free in Wales, doctor's waiting rooms are full to capacity most of the time.

I didn't realise you were talking about Wales. Everyone's on benefits so wouldn't have to pay the charge anyway.

[SueEllen]

Perhaps if there was a small charge to see your GP the waiting room at the surgery wouldn't so full to begin with

If we had more GPs to cover for the fact lots of them - both male and female - are part-timers now then maybe you wouldn't have to wait a week.

May be we will have to decrease GPs pay again and import doctors from abroad like in the 70s. Lots of Polish doctors speak English.....