N H S - Should It Always Be Free? Discuss.

[sunny-dave]

As a lifelong supporter (and for many years a worker in) the UK NHS, I always espoused the "Free at the Point of Use" mantra - it seemed the best way to provide a decent service for everyone.

Now living with a rather different system here in Ireland, I'm no longer so sure.

In Ireland :

Everyone pays something for prescriptions (even pensioners and people on those on benefits) - it does seem to stop the routine over-prescribing of repeat medications and also cuts out the OTC items.

There is a charge for GP visits - it varies according to age and circumstances - but it means that it's much easier to see a GP and they can give proper time to patients, as 'frequent fliers' are less of a problem.

There is a charge for A&E visits - again it varies - but it stops the routine clogging of A&E with the worried well and 'fell over whilst in drink' brigade.

The HSE is far from perfect - there are delays and shortages in many elements of secondary care - but the NHS (at least viewing from the outside) seems to be overwhelmed with no chance of supply ever matching an apparently endlessly increasing demand.

Is it time to think about some form of charging to mange demand on frontline services?

[sunny-dave]

Perhaps the answer to the NHS's problems is public education about what goes where ...

https://metro.co.uk/2021/11/12/people-sticking-objects-up-their-bums-costs-the-nhs-350000-a-year-15589353/

[davebro]

//How much of the current NHS funding is trousered by Rich Shareholders as the Tories slowly but relentlessly and stealthily privatise it.//

How much is spent on on-going PPI deals (started by Tories but vastly expanded by Labour)?