That Was So Cheap, Thank You So Much, The British Tax Payer.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3214709/African-mum-quintuplets-let-145-000-NHS-bill-Health-tourist-came-UK-birth-says-no-one-s-asked-pay.html

I wonder if they gave her a free supply of 'the pill' as well?

Now that would have been money well spent.

[VHG]

Sadly one of THOUSANDS that come here to give birth that we pay for.

I used to live in Hillingdon about 35 years ago (home of Heathrow Airport) and even then many Asian women would fly in with their flowing robes covering their advanced pregnancy.

They would then go to the local hospital to give birth.

We have been paying for it for years.

No wonder we are in such debt (and the NHS costs so much)

[Zacs-Master]

Another argument for identity cards.

[retrocop]

Zacs-Master
I have just pulled out one of our drawers a National Health Service Medical Card.
Are they no longer valid or issued to those entitled to NHS treatment in this country?.
Admittedly it has no photo ID on it so they could easily be lent to anyone else with a long Asian/Foreign name.
I thought or imagined that a new laminated photo ID card had been introduced.
I agree a National Identity Card would fit all other situations where immigrants cause issues here.

[Zacs-Master]

And of course, everyone entering a hospital is asked for their NHS card, aren't they?

[anotheoldgit]

And yet another reason Zacs, it would seem we dish out these national Insurance numbers willy nilly.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3214729/It-s-worse-think-Officially-53-000-Bulgarians-Romanians-came-year-gave-200-000-NI-numbers.html

[anotheoldgit]

retrocop

Agree, but why are so many against the idea?

[retrocop]

//Zacs-Master
And of course, everyone entering a hospital is asked for their NHS card, aren't they? //

No they are not but the officious, bossy, receptionist will be down right rude to an obvious white Brit but are too frightened to challenge anyone of an ethnic appearance.
My wife sees it everyday in her out patients clinic (endoscopy). All waiting rooms have notices asking for those seeking treatment to enquire at the desk if they feel they may not be entitled to free treatment.
Of course no one does and because of PC the receptionists don't have the cajones to make the challenge. They say it is not their job to police the NHS!!

[Sqad]

It's free.
it's the Envy of the World.
We are philanthropic people us Brits ( not like those nasty Yanks).
We will never change, we idolise our NHS.
Our standard of health care is the highest in the world.
Don't you dare challenge the concept of our NHS.

That has been the "war cry" of British politicians over the past 60 years and you now have the gall to persecute those who are availing themselves of it.

[retrocop]

anotheoldgit
Question Author
retrocop
//Agree, but why are so many against the idea//

I am not the one to ask that aog. I have always advocated a National Identity Card.
Perhaps you should ask your friend, with whom who you had a lively debate yesterday, to explain. He seems happy to protect his Civil Liberties to the cost of others.

[retrocop]

Sqad
Did you,per chance, avail yourself of our NHS for your recent medical episode ?

[Sqad]

retrocop......

No, I have had bypass surgery and latterly pacemaker inserted for a heart attack both episodes in a Spanish hospital( iBSalud) without payment and a high standard of medical care.

The Spaniards then bill the NHS for my care.

[ummmm]

I would happily pay more NI if it went directly to the NHS.

My generation has never had to worry about health care.

I watched a programmed recently where the NHS employed someone who went around the hospital questioning people with foreign names to double check they were actually entitled to NHS treatment.

[retrocop]

Sqad
Good for you. I thought that would be your answer. :-)

[THECORBYLOON]

With reference to the NI Numbers, 'Madeleine Sumption, director of the Oxford-based Migration Observatory, said: ‘The difference is likely to be related to short-term migration. People only appear in the International Passenger Survey as migrants if they are intending to come for more than 12 months.’'

[retrocop]

ummm
Round my way they would need a Battalion of people checking, entitlement to NHS treatment in hospitals, from people with foreign names .That would be a battalion for each London hospital.

[retrocop]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Forgot to mention. It just doesn't happen as I wrote earlier.

[Sqad]

retrocop........LOL

Of course the standard of health care in the NHS, by and large, is up with the best in the world, but what really p1sses me off is the way other health schemes in other countries are criticised and insulted by ABers who have little experience of other systems. Also if one does post what one considers to be constructive criticisms, then there follows abusive replies, tantamount to labeling one as a traitor or infidel.......or both.

[ummmm]

Sqad...I've only ever been to a doctors once while abroad. I walked into a chemist about 5pm seriously swollen foot and leg. Chemist phoned the doc and I was seen within 10 minutes. 25 euros well spent.

He even gave me a form to claim the money back. I didn't claim it back.

[retrocop]

Sqad
I can't and won't knock the NHS. I have certainly over availed myself of it recently but I agree, the rest of Europe does have fine medical facilities.Thailand is brilliant according to my son. Had a Russian woman in the bed next to me this week so I won't comment on their healthcare as I don't know anything about that.
When I said" I had a Russian woman in the bed next to me this week" I didn't mean I had........... err never mind. :-)

[gness]

When I had to have three appointments with a consultant at Peterborough Hospital I had to produce a utilities bill at my first appointment....and was happy to do so.

I have lived in Canada......had emergency treatment in America when traveling with a child who took ill and spent time in France where my husband had dialysis while we were there.....

If our NHS was half as good as any of those I'd be happy.