Is It Any Wonder Our Once Fantastic Nhs Is In Such A Mess Now?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3502056/Hospital-spent-181-000-treating-illegal-immigrant-Taxpayers-foot-huge-bill-racked-foreign-patients-using-NHS-amid-warnings-high-costs-absolutely-unsustainable.html

And to think that Nigel Farage was once lampooned for pointing this type of thing out?

[TonyV]

Appreciate that hc4361 but that is a nice gesture by hospital involved

[andy-hughes]

The problems with the NHS come entirely down to bad management.

It's top heavy with bureaucrats who focus on 'targets' and getting themselves financial bonuses.

You cannot run a health service as though it is a competitive business, despite the efforts of successive governments.

Until it is treated as a service, which it is, and not as a for-profit business, which it is not, these problems will escalate.

Health tourism is an issue, but only one of the issues caused by the way the service is run, and that must change, and quickly.

[anotheoldgit]

We could always subtract the health bills from their country's overseas aid grant.

[TonyV]

It annoys me at my local hospital (Leicester) that when you pass the stairway that leads to execs offices they are covered in shag pile carpet that I couldn't afford

[New Judge]

"What we should do is refuse entry to anyone entering without insurance..."

I've visited Cuba a number of times. On arrival a number of visitors (around one in five or so) are randomly asked for their travel insurance documents. Those who cannot produce proof of cover are charged a flat rate for their stay (I believe it's something in the order of £25 per day). It's done as they take your photograph (which is examined when you leave to ensure the person who arrived is the person leaving), examine your entry visa and your passport before you set foot "landside" at the airport. It's all very simple and just requires willpower. You either produce proof of cover, pay the flat rate or are denied entry. It's made well known to visitors:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba

Can you imagine a foreign visitor pitching up to a BUPA hospital declaring "I need some kidney dialysis whilst I'm here so if you'd kindly sort it out for me - free of charge of course". Why should an NHS hospital be any different? The NHS needs to get real. About £1 of every £7 collected in taxes is spent on the NHS. The immigration authorities have a responsibility to ensure those arriving will not lay costs on that budget and the hospitals (with their armies of scribes and administrators) have as well. Taxpayers are e simply being taken for a ride.

[viv41]

If only AOG ....

[jourdain2]

Stepson turned up to help with move in France, helped load washing-machine, felt funny, 15 mins. later in helicopter to hosp. with heart attack. 1st question was about his insurance and how he could pay for treatment.

[Old_Geezer]

Except in an emergency, which is a special case, few if any at all might die whilst a few checks are made. Meanwhile NHS staff have low moral due to changes over recent years and the clear indication that they aren't valued, and if they don't like it then they're free to leave. Low moral is no way to provide top service.

[douglas9401]

One could always just man up and say 'no'.