NHS Funding

[madmaggot]

If the NHS is in such need of funding then why not set up high street clinics, in the same way that they have in the spanish resorts, in some of the shops currently standing empty?
Then those idiots that are currently taken to A&E when they get themself falling down drunk can be treated on the high street, well away from ordinary patients.
They should be charged as private patients for the stomach pumping and/or any other treatment resulting from excessive drinking. The fact of a big bill as a result of their lack of self control might force them to grow up and take a look at themself and will also assist the NHS.

[emmie]

wouldn't they have to be open at night? that won't go down well with high streets shops either, nor local residents.

[cazzz1975]

if they have to pay they are unlikely to use it preferring the existing A&E

[madmaggot]

Probably be better received than p*ss and worse in your doorway next morning though.

[emmie]

not on my doorstep thanks.

[dotty.]

not so mad an idea actually madmaggot, there are a dozen empty shops on preston's main drag that would surfice, mostly within walking distance of the wine lodge

[madmaggot]

As in Spain, they would have no other choice but to be treated at the clinic.

[cazzz1975]

what would happen if the drunk in question could not afford treatment?

[emmie]

go to the winelodge, have loads to drink, go into next door for stomach pumped, can't see it myself.

[EvianBaby]

There was a programme on a while ago about some sort of first aid bus that hangs around city centres with a few medics on to patch drunk people up and send them home without them needing to go to hospital. It seemed like a really good idea.

Think it was called party paramedics or something.

[emmie]

if you can afford to drink, you can afford to pay for treatment. The only ones who generally can't are out and out alcoholics. They will drink the cheapest stuff on the market

[madmaggot]

They would receive the bill in the same way as any other service.
Do they plan to go to the wine lodge and then A&E then?

[cazzz1975]

there are a lot of out and out alcoholics, I wonder what will happen to them?

[dotty.]

i think there should be a pre-payment card scheme outside for the nhs for people wanting to go and get bladdered and eat kebabs, then if they need treatment the balance is reduced, they don't even need a card, it could be an android app on their phone.....except they would probably have lost it during their night out i guess

[emmie]

at Christmas that dreaded time, there are drunk tanks, take them there, let them sleep it off and pack them off when sober. Personally i would charge them for the service, but i'm not in charge of NHS.

[EvianBaby]

But what if I go out tonight and get a bit drunk then get punched in the face for no reason by someone. Should I still pay because I happen to be out drinking? Who makes the decision on who pays for what?

[madmaggot]

Perhaps if you're not drunk your brain functionality would be better, you would be better able to see a situation developing, be less likely to exascerbate the situation and if all else failed, have quicker reactions and DUCK!

[emmie]

the police would be involved, so they would know that it wasn't your fault. If you drink so much that you are not aware of your surroundings, then you leave yourself open to all sorts of problems. Better to be with friends that can take you home, or one doesn't drink that night.
The people i have known over the years were out and out alcoholics, they could not get by a day, even a few hours without a drink, that is not your average boozer on a friday or saturday night.

[EvianBaby]

Yeah I can see that working. 'sorry, but you're going to have to pay because you didn't duck'.

[boxtops]

so who's going to staff these new centres? the NHS already has enough problems with people from elsewhere who've had hospital treatment but don't pay their bills.

[emmie]

where did i say that.