The NHS
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Why do people assume that the NHS is free when we all pay for it through the tax system?
It feels "free" for them because they're not paying at that moment but will via the tax. Sorta like a loan; Buy Now, Pay Later.
NHS has its pros and cons, people who can't afford it can have basic health assistance (and pills/etc) but those who can afford and want a quality service then they're better off paying. I've read that NHS doctors don't necessarily treat their patient in the best of terms in comparison to 'premium' customers.
They're there to primarily do their hours and then if they do their work properly, that's another matter.
US has a similar NHS format, it's called Obamacare there and it's about $50 per month (subject to eligibility). Canada and several other Western countries have "free" health too, like UK.
Thats a bit harsh on NHS doctors!
Most of them do well above 'their hours' and do treat all their patients the same regardless of any premium they may have paid. The only real advantage of going private is jumping the long waiting lists.
We may pay for it out of our taxes but only a percentage as there are so many other things our taxes pay for......education, police, firefighters, council services etc. One major operation would probably take up all that an adult has paid into the nhs so as far as I am concerned it is still free. I am 65 and although I have never been seriously ill I have in my lifetime had many doctors appointments and many outpatient appointments at hospital. I consider what I have paid over the years a pittance to what I have received.
Rockman NHS patients are treated in the same way as private patients. It is the same surgeons performering the same procedures. With NHS or Private. Your private insurance ensures you skip the long waiting list.
Private patients requiring complex care will often be treated in NHS hospitals as private hospitals can not provide them with the level of care they require.
Please don’t assume private care is better it simply means you by pass the very long waiting lists which is worth paying the private premiums for in many cases.
If you can be treated in a private hospital you will have nicer surroundings and better food no doubt.
myusernamehasgo In my local hospital (before the last move) they had a special ward in the NHS hospital for private patients where, as you say, they were looked after better thn the rest! (Yes, I do know someone who was in there)
lynnibis I completely disagree. A prescription that I have to pay for once every five - eight years or so does NOT give me good value for money! Without a doubt I pay far far more in that I get from it.
tumblespots you are lucky to be in good health then which is great. All it takes is one serious accident, and you'll be glad the NHS is there to help.
Hi tumblespots, I won't argue because there is often not a wrong or right and human beings can never agree, if they did there would be no wars lol. But I would point out that your prescriptions are usually the result of a visit to the doctor, the cost of that and the drug (which is usually more than the prescription charge), and also the cost of pharmacist dispensing it. I don't know if you have children or elderly parents who no longer pay tax but your tax also pays for them and I expect they also use pharmacies, opticians, doctors and hospitals etc. And referring back to my initial comment not all of our taxes go to nhs, just a percentage, nis contributions also pay for elderly care etc. Private medical care would cost an awful lot more.
I am not wealthy but I do not object to my taxes going to the common pot for those with serious illness as 'there but for the grace of God' and all that. One day you or me may need health care costing thousands.
lynnibis Has anyone actually noticed that the original post just asks about people's perceptions about why it is generally assumed that the NHS is free, even though we all pay for it.... not about whether we individually gain any particular benefit from it.
Well that's what happens in chat rooms, the chat gets expanded and everyone puts their own opinion which is not necessarily in line with each other. Count to 10 and dont get hot under the collar, as I said earlier, human nature being what it is, no one will ever agree. I hate this world we live in, there is too much hate and evil and tbh I will be glad to be out of it but then I have had my life and not much left to stick around for.
tumblespots The Private/Premium parts of NHS are rather really nice and almost like a 'Hospital Hotel' in a way.
lynnibis The British police has proven to not be very efficient doing their job as police officers. So, even those who are in tough spots might feel like there's someone more credible for the job than the police themselves.
(s) I mean, the police has to deal with meanie tweets which are definitely way more important than real crimes, how dare be meanie tweets! Arrest them! Never mind actual criminals (/s)
Hi Rockman, can't disagree with your comment but not quite sure why it was directed to me as I didn't mention police. Your reply doesn't actually reply to anything I have said in this thread but hey ho, that's what I meant about chat rooms and forums.
It is not free....paid from the tax we pay. I think the reason, because it could be better if the government would spend more on it, that put the money to submarines....anyone saw any?????
The Government prefer to keep our taxes to pay their wages and expenses rather than spend it on what the people of the country expect it to go towards which includes The NHS. They squander our money constantly and are never held to account. If normal companies ran themselves in this manner they would be out of business in the blink of an eye.
Has anyone actually noticed that the original post just asks about people's perceptions about why it is generally assumed that the NHS is free, even though we all pay for it....
yes - but that's the thing about conversations, they do move on! At least this site is generally friendly and most people can agree / disagree without being attacked or generally abused for having an opinion - which sadly happens all to often these days. That makes this a much nice place than many on the internet!
My experience with NHS is so rubbish that I'm getting angry even thinking about it! One time only when I was looking for help they told me I have to wait 3 days even though it was emergency. After that I was ,,diagnosed" with sprained muscle. For over a month I've been dealing with lots of pain and struggle at work until I made an appointment with the doctor in my country. ,,Sprained muscle" happened to be completely torn ligament in my knee. I went through surgery and when I came back to my GP with all paperwork he said ,,oh wow! looks like you really made some damage"... Thanks a lot! Paying all the taxes for NHS is like donating British Museum with almost 300£ a month and nothing ever comes back to You!
I can't fault the nhs they have saved my life many times being an epileptic that has grand mal seizures. N also my husband's life because he had throat cancer. I now down to the staff because none of them get enough for the job they do x
This thread was about the NHS but I am very pleased that you enjoy a wonderful bus service
The NHS is free at the point of delivery. The idea was that it would be available for everyone, regardless of wealth. Even when it was founded the NHS was paid for by taxes and only some services, such as dental and opticians were to be paid for at the point of delivery. There is a difference between free and free at point of delivery, but not everyone will make the distinction. I have no issue paying into the NHS as I have always had fantastic service from the doctors at our local hospital and medical centre, especially recently. Plus if people had to pay for the NHS at point of delivery, a lot of people could not afford to do so. My mum recently got a knee replacement and if she had to pay for it, then it would have cost £8000! Not many people could afford that and it is because you are not paying these prices at the time of visiting the doctor/hospital, people get into the mindset that it is free. I would rather pay a little each month than all at once or be in debt for years because of hospital bills.
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