N H S - Should It Always Be Free? Discuss.

[sunny-dave]

As a lifelong supporter (and for many years a worker in) the UK NHS, I always espoused the "Free at the Point of Use" mantra - it seemed the best way to provide a decent service for everyone.

Now living with a rather different system here in Ireland, I'm no longer so sure.

In Ireland :

Everyone pays something for prescriptions (even pensioners and people on those on benefits) - it does seem to stop the routine over-prescribing of repeat medications and also cuts out the OTC items.

There is a charge for GP visits - it varies according to age and circumstances - but it means that it's much easier to see a GP and they can give proper time to patients, as 'frequent fliers' are less of a problem.

There is a charge for A&E visits - again it varies - but it stops the routine clogging of A&E with the worried well and 'fell over whilst in drink' brigade.

The HSE is far from perfect - there are delays and shortages in many elements of secondary care - but the NHS (at least viewing from the outside) seems to be overwhelmed with no chance of supply ever matching an apparently endlessly increasing demand.

Is it time to think about some form of charging to mange demand on frontline services?

[Paigntonian]

Canary: At a loss as to how you can believe that. Perhaps you might support that assertion with a fact or two.

[gness]

If that's to me Canary don't call me a Tory. We have...well some of us have...been discussing the possible benefits of a small fee for some health care. It works extremely well here if you'd bothered to read the whole thread.

[naomi24]

Canary, which Tory toff suggested charging a fee for NHS use?

[jourdain2]

People are already being 'put off' going to A & E by the horrendous waiting times. I had a fall in June which resulted in (amongst other things) a left arm black & swollen from elbow to wrist. My elbow and wrist joints still worked so we decided against the 15/20 hr. wait in A&E and I did the best I could with it myself. Now it seems (by the odd shape) that the bone was damaged in some way, but everything works so I'm glad we didn't put ourselves through A&E. There are 2 or 3 people with oddly shaped fingers in our village - they opted to ignore A&E as well.
If our system were as good as France's then it would be worth paying in the same way as they do. Until I lived there and saw how it worked (and that there was a system for those who simply could not pay) I'd have opposed payment too. But the NHS can't carry on like this. It's brilliant in an emergency, but otherwise it is simply unfit for purpose.

[naomi24]

€40 for a GP visit would mean some sick people going without.

[pixie374]

Gness... exactly. Trying to merge mental and physical health will never work- we also need to pay home carers a living wage. Otherwise, shortages are inevitable.

[naomi24]

The NHS is paying its Diversity Managers £77,000pa. It needs sorting out from scratch.

[gness]

It's rarely forty euro as I've already said, Naomi. In case you didn't understand. Some in our village..and I guess others from chats I have had today... will pay twenty to twenty five euros...if they can afford it. I haven't spoken to one person refused treatment because they couldn't pay.
If you are living in or intend to live in Ireland for one year you get free or reduced treatment.
Short term visitors may also be entitled to the same so should you visit, Naomi, you could perhaps avail of that.

[youngmafbog]

As I said above Naomi.

But no one want to listen to that.

[naomi24]

Not a lot you can do about that, YMB. :o/

[youngmafbog]

Surely if we, the British, go to Eire we should take out travel insurance?

[naomi24]

I didn’t read what you said, gness. I took the figure from sunny dave’s post at 13.30. That’s what he said.

[gness]

Youngmaf. You're post was good and thoughtful. I should have said that earlier. Sorry.

[naomi24]

I have permanent travel
Insurance but if I didn’t I would certainly buy it for visits to Ireland.

[jno]

I don't mind usng my money, anne, in the end that's what it's for. (Over the years I've probably spent 20 times the money on premiums that I'm recouping now.) But what my experiences tell me is how long those without surplus money are having to wait; and it's not good, especially when we know winter's on its way and money is going to be short everywhere.

[anneasquith]

I agree jno. I recently has a choice of 6 month waiting list ( at least) or £120. . I’m very aware not everyone has that cash available .

[zylaphone]

I think should illegal immigrants should pay. That would stop the boats coming in.

[zylaphone]

PS charity begins at home

[pixie374]

Illegal immigrants shouldn't be in a position to get healthcare. Paid or not.

[zylaphone]

I agree Pixie