What Are Your Views On This?

[youngmafbog]

I'm undecided although I dont think the argument "It is privatizing the NHS" holds much weight.

I think it would give many the care they need and indeed the many would spend it wisely but what about those who dont? This may not just be just being frivolous (although I'm sure a few would spend it on beer & fags) but what if your about to be cut off or evicted, surely the temptation would be to pay off those bills with money intended for treatment?

Wouldn't a voucher scheme to approved outlets be a better idea? That gives everyone choice but choice to spend it on the 'correct' items.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/patients-will-decide-how-they-spend-nhs-money-78n752tdl?_ga=2.210817173.1611510907.1523862760-1767925106.1523862760

[anneasquith]

Is this a joke? Patients decide what / where money is spent on them. Do we still have a health service, is it so bad the politicians can't cope with it? Let's hand it over to the patients . Unbelievable .

[dannyk13]

Doesn't really tell you much about how this will work,Does a doctor have to approve each spend.or just decide in a general way what it should be spent on.What happens if,as you have pointed out, the money is all spent on other things and then the patient requires medical attention.All in all I don't think that I am in favour of the idea.

[Baldric]

You can not be serious!

[youngmafbog]

No it is not a joke.

From the article:

"Far more people with mental health problems, dementia and physical and learning disabilities will have the right to select and pay for treatments they want. The money will be paid directly to them and can be spent on whatever that they think best helps to manage their condition, as long as a doctor agrees."

[anneasquith]

" put power back in the hands of the patients" ? Have I missed something , has the nhs been a public company for the last 50 years ?

[Baldric]

/// people with mental health problems, dementia and physical and learning disabilities///

Yep, I can see how that would work, . . . . . Not!

[ludwig]

I don't like the sound of it.

Anything that says things like “put power back into the hands of patients”, usually means it wants to fob off the responsibility of doing something difficult and expensive onto someone else.

[youngmafbog]

Anne, it's a slight aside from the OP but do you honestly think the NHS is in anyway in the public hands or indeed ever has been?

If it was I'm sure the vast majority would have sacked the layers upon layers of superfluous management and implemented a good procurement scheme.

[mushroom25]

I can't see the article, it's behind a paywall. maybe someone who subscribes could just confirm that patients' choice of treatment doesn't include the option of wide screen tellies, crates of white lightning or packs of benson and hedges?

[Baldric]

///The money will be paid directly to them and can be spent on whatever that they think best helps to manage their condition, as long as a doctor agrees///

I guess if The Doctor approves it could include any/all of the above

[whiskeryron]

Remember the old saying " The Lunatics Are Now Running The Asylum". I rest my case.

[Mamyalynne]

No paywall here.

http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/commissioning/more-people-to-access-personal-health-budgets-under-government-plans/20036520.article

[Mamyalynne]

https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets/what-are-personal-health-budgets-phbs/

[ToraToraTora]

completely radio YMB, the NHS has problems but mostly caused by empire building. It just needs a good clean out.

[youngmafbog]

I agree TTT.

Much of The Times is not behind a paywall you just have to sign up. (Only if your really interested of course).

[Mamyalynne]

Obviously not going to be debated sensibly when folk start trotting out the 'wide scree/white lightning/B&H' tripe.

I just hope none are ever in need of such ongoing care.

[Mamyalynne]

^ wide screen

[mushroom25]

you may scoff at references to spurious "health purchases", but I know from my partner's experience that this is precisely what happens when government agencies hand out cash. the feckless will misuse it and demand more because they still lack the service the cash was originally provided for.

[jourdain2]

Perhaps, as the OP suggests, a voucher scheme for approved health-care facilities would be a safeguard against improper use of funds - but I can't see how people suffering from dementia, a lot of mental health problems or who have learning disabilities (minor things like dyslexia apart) can be expected to explore ranges of treatment and make a considered decision.

[Mamyalynne]

Many should have the guidance of a Professional through the process.

Some FAQs here

https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets/what-are-personal-health-budgets-phbs/frequently-asked-questions-about-phbs/