Would You Be Happy Paying £25 For A Routine Doctors Appointment?

[Bobbisox1]

Personally it wouldn’t bother me doing this if it would cut down on the time wasters who allegedly cost the NHS £216 million a year with missed appointments who just don’t bother turning up, the one thing that is a concern is the people who can’t afford this,would it not be better to charge those who don’t have a good excuse for missing an appointment,although how that could be policed , I’m not sure

[ummmm]

Spath...all patients who turn up on time are equal. No one plans on getting ill and needing on going treatment. What about blood tests, hospital appointments, should we be paying per visit? When I first toddled over to the chemist after seeing my GP my prescription cost £75 odd.

Only people on benefits could afford to be ill in England.

[woofgang]

I would absolutely not be in favour of paying for an appointment. I have already paid for that appointment many times over during my working life and am still taxed on my pension.

[ToraToraTora]

I think £25 is a bit high, I wouldn't mind personally but that's a bit harsh for many. I applaud the idea though, I'd say £5 would be more sensible and weed out the time wasters.

[Bobbisox1]

O-G I totally agree, if someone is going to see their GP to get out and get company , that’s a sad reflection on our society , it’s very sad

[hc4361]

I thought my GP had come up with a daft idea a few years ago but it is still going strong.
They organise twice weekly 'slow walks' around the park next door with the aim of giving the unfit a bit of exercise (some do walk very fast) and the lonely a bit of company. A cup of tea, a biscuit and a natter afterwards. A few volunteers organise it. If the weather's too bad, it's just the cuppa and biscuit

[Rockrose]

You should be charged for missing an appointment not getting an appointment.
Also what should be stopped and maybe with Brexit is the reclaiming of some medical costs whilst on holiday in the EU.
I know someone who gets free scripts and who filled them all before going on holiday - did not take enough tablets with them for the holiday - even though they had enough - went to the doctor at place of holiday and now wants to reclaim £50 due to their own error.

[margarettom]

I agree with [email protected]

[Bobbisox1]

Hc, what a caring GP practise you have

[ummmm]

I have found the text message system to be very good. Make an appointment, they send you a message, save it in your diary with an alarm.

Not so easy for people who haven't got a more up to date phone though.

I timed myself walking to the doctors so I wouldn't even be 1 minute late.

[teacake44]

I'm feeling a bit sick reading this. :0)

[Old_Geezer]

That occurred to me Woofy. Relatively free when young and fit, suggestions of charging as soon as you're older and in need a bit of maintenance. Typical.

[spathiphyllum]

Ummmm, i've no idea what relevance your answer has to me.

The question was, "Would You Be Happy Paying £25 For A Routine Doctors Appointment?" - You implied at 09:53 that your doc wanted you to come back, not the other way round. AKA, a check up appointment or an ongoing thing.

I was saying, if people have to pay £25 for an appointment, those should cost money also, because they bring the same issues to the table. That is all.

[Old_Geezer]

"I timed myself walking to the doctors so I wouldn't even be 1 minute late."
And then waited twenty five minutes to be called ;-)

[hc4361]

Nobody should object to waiting past their appointment time.

[Rockrose]

I agree HC

[dannyk13]

hc //They organise twice weekly 'slow walks' around the park//
Also do it at my GP's.

[ummmm]

Spath - because the doctor phoned me. I told her my issues over the phone but she wanted to see me in person. Why should I pay to say something to her face when I've already said it to her over the phone?

[agchristie]

I don't like it when my name flashes up on the screen:-

"Oh no, not 'er again" - 3rd door on the right....

[spathiphyllum]

"Why should I pay to say something to her face when I've already said it to her over the phone?"

For the exact same reasons someone ringing for any appointment would? I'm unsure how you don't understand that.. So you can have a doctors appointment?

I'm against paying for appointments, but i don't see why an appointment liek that, would be any different to any other appointment? They would both come with the risk that the patient won't turn up, if anything more so from a phone call consultation because you've felt you've expressed your issues.

[agchristie]

Hmmm, if they brought in charges I may have to have 'a slow walk round the park'....

Could help raise the funds Bobbi ;-)