£25 to see your GP..

[Vicky.]

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/07/gps-vote-charging-patients-appointments

Health campaigners have expressed alarm over plans by GPs to vote on charging patients for appointments.

The proposal is aimed at saving the NHS tens of millions of pounds a year by deterring patients from failing to turn up to appointments.

It will be discussed and voted on at the British Medical Association's annual local medical committee conference later this month in York, despite opposition to the idea from doctors' leaders and the general public.

Under the plan, patients could be charged a flat fee of up to £25. The proposed fee is seen as an incentive for patients to turn up to appointments and a way of helping to fund cash-strapped doctors' surgeries.

What do you think of this?

I think its a piss poor excuse to charge people to be honest. Though I wouldn't be against a charge for failing to turn up for an appointment...I see no reason at all why everyone should be penalized for the actions of a few. Even though thats becoming more and more common in every aspect of life...

[InOne]

My old GP scrapped the system where you ring up at 9 for an appointment that day and made it so you have to book a week in advance. They replaced with that rapid access clinic for emergencies which is a decent way of doing it, the only flaw is that most of the people probably don't need emergency treatment. A bit like people turning up at A&E's when they really don't need to.

[Nedusa]

Utter Bollocks.... The NHS is free in the sense that we do not pay to use it but is funded through N.I

This smacks of back door privatisation of the NHS.

[Cherie]

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/07/gps-vote-charging-patients-appointments



What do you think of this?

I think its a piss poor excuse to charge people to be honest. Though I wouldn't be against a charge for failing to turn up for an appointment...I see no reason at all why everyone should be penalized for the actions of a few. Even though thats becoming more and more common in every aspect of life...

Disgrace

[Vicky.]

My old GP scrapped the system where you ring up at 9 for an appointment that day and made it so you have to book a week in advance. They replaced with that rapid access clinic for emergencies which is a decent way of doing it, the only flaw is that most of the people probably don't need emergency treatment. A bit like people turning up at A&E's when they really don't need to.

Takes on average 3 weeks to get an appointment at my GPs..but half of the time you are told you cant book an appointment in advance...which makes no sense. If you cant book in advance, then how come all slots for weeks and weeks are already filled :suspect:

I can't complain about their treatment of Skye though (besides one doctor taking a chance on her actual life D: but cant blame the whole surgery for one dick). Whenever shes been bad, as soon as I mention shes a baby they get her seen that day, usually within the hour.

[Josy]

Ridiculous. People that can't afford this especially the elderly would brush things off and could end up seriously ill.

I read about something like this a while back where the proposal was pay a £10 fee to see the doctor if you needed to see them any more than 3 times per year, I think that's even ridiculous.

[RichardG]

My sister has many many medical problems and is in and out of GPs and hospitals every other week, always has done and most likely always will have to for a long time. This will cost us a fortune if it becomes a reality. D:

[Vicky.]

Quite sure it won't happen. Would just lead to more turning up at A+E when they don't need to.

But the fact that its even being talked about boils my piss.

[joeysteele]

I would be against any charging to see a GP. Not the wa to go at all.

Also often,when I am with others at the Doctors,I would have thought they would be glad to have the odd missed appointment, since I have yet to see a Doctor at the actual appointment time, often being over 30 to 40 minutes later than it by the time you are called.

[Shaun]

So much for free healthcare...

[Livia]

Ridiculous idea.

[smudgie]

Cash strapped surgeries:conf:

Doctors are well paid.

We are lucky up here to have 2 modern GP surgeries.
The doctors and the nurses have been amazing with hubby this past few months, nothing is too much for them, to the point I was getting fed up of them ringing to see how he was.
We still have the appointment system wait up to a fortnight, or we can phone at 8.30 and 1.30 to see if there is a cancellation.
We can also have appointments for telephone consultations now, weird but handy.
You can turn up any morning, demand to see a doctor as long as you are prepared to say it is an emergency...and face the wrath of the doctor if it isn't.

I don't agree with paying for appointments, the idea of NHS is it is affordable for all.

[user104658]

Booking appointments weeks in advance? I... I don't understand...

"Hello, doctor? Yes, I'm feeling great right now, but I was planning on being ill in roughly 10 days time, would I be able to make an appointment to see you then?"

[Kizzy]

Get them out!... just get them out!!!

[Marsh.]

My doctor's had notices up last week saying 38 patients didn't show up for their appointments in 1 day so I suppose it's a bit of a problem.

Charging is not the answer though.

[Vicky.]

Booking appointments weeks in advance? I... I don't understand...

"Hello, doctor? Yes, I'm feeling great right now, but I was planning on being ill in roughly 10 days time, would I be able to make an appointment to see you then?"

Unless its an emergency (and they decide if its an emergency, not you..doesn't seem to matter how much pain you are in from my experience..) its extremely rare to get an appointment before about 2 weeks time.

Also when you ring you are CONSTANTLY in a queue. Its usually 'there are 5 people ahead of you' so you have not much chance of getting a cancellation either.

I think the main problem here is that I live in an area thats massively populated by OAPs..who tend to use the doctors a lot. Theres an old lady in my street who goes to the GPs to get her toenails cut?

[Vicky.]

My doctor's had notices up last week saying 38 patients didn't show up for their appointments in 1 day so I suppose it's a bit of a problem.

Charging is not the answer though.

There is a similar sign in mine, however it says (IIRC) 14 people last month didnt turn up for their appointments.

When appointments are like gold dust, people tend to not miss them :laugh:

[user104658]

Also when you ring you are CONSTANTLY in a queue. Its usually 'there are 5 people ahead of you' so you have not much chance of getting a cancellation either.

I've noticed this, but it's some sort of conspiracy! Every time I phone the doctors, it's engaged... takes ages to get through. And yet, I've sat waiting in the waiting area for over half an hour several times, right next to the same reception that answers the phone calls, and... they're never on the phone??? :suspect:

What's that all about? It can't be coincidence... that they just HAPPEN to be busy every time I call and yet, not busy every time I'm there...

[Vicky.]

I've noticed this, but it's some sort of conspiracy! Every time I phone the doctors, it's engaged... takes ages to get through. And yet, I've sat waiting in the waiting area for over half an hour several times, right next to the same reception that answers the phone calls, and... they're never on the phone??? :suspect:

What's that all about? It can't be coincidence... that they just HAPPEN to be busy every time I call and yet, not busy every time I'm there...

LOL, yeah I have noticed this too. I might question it at some point in the future.

[Marsh.]

The receptionists do sweet FA now.

You even check in yourself now on a touch screen that's attached to the desk in front of her.

It's so bizarre, you just walk in and don't speak and then sit down to wait for your name to flash up on the screen. Human interaction really is becoming a thing of the past.

[Niamh.]

It's €50 here to see your GP

[Crimson Dynamo]

Doctor Hillary was supporting this on Steve Wright yesterday and his reason was it would make patients realise how much things on the NHS cost!

I mean really

stupid idea that would kill people

[Withano]

I think this should happen, should stop the hypochondriacs seeping through. Perhaps the ones who show up and are generally sick should be refunded.

Might be harsh but doctors should not be spending their day dealing with work-skivers, hypochondriacs and blank slots from people not showing up to their appointments I think its an issue that needs to be dealt with.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I think this should happen, should stop the hypochondriacs seeping through. Perhaps the ones who show up and are generally sick should be refunded.

Might be harsh but doctors should not be spending their day dealing with work-skivers, hypochondriacs and blank slots from people not showing up to their appointments I think its an issue that needs to be dealt with.

ask any GP and he will personally name the 5 or so hypo's that he/she sees. target them only.

[Jack_]

Disgusting proposal

[Withano]

Unless its an emergency (and they decide if its an emergency, not you..doesn't seem to matter how much pain you are in from my experience..) its extremely rare to get an appointment before about 2 weeks time.

Also when you ring you are CONSTANTLY in a queue. Its usually 'there are 5 people ahead of you' so you have not much chance of getting a cancellation either.

I think the main problem here is that I live in an area thats massively populated by OAPs..who tend to use the doctors a lot. Theres an old lady in my street who goes to the GPs to get her toenails cut?

You called the idea piss poor in your OP but don't you think if the idea was to go through none of the above would happen and you would be able to see your GP in a few days or less every time you feel as if you're in an emergency situation.

You can't complain over the current state of the NHS and the possible future state if it will instantly change the current state! You should pick a side, otherwise you're just saying "damned if you do, damned if you don't"

[Withano]

ask any GP and he will personally name the 5 or so hypo's that he/she sees. target them only.

That wouldnt work, targeting the hypos only would simply kill these people if they were generally sick.

[Crimson Dynamo]

That wouldnt work, targeting the hypos only would simply kill these people if they were generally sick.

Better than charging everyone!

[Withano]

Better than charging everyone!

Killing 5 people per doctor on purpose is better than charging everyone?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Killing 5 people per doctor on purpose is better than charging everyone?

you would not kill 5 people, dont be daft. what i mean by targetting is deal with the hypos in another way but dont charge everyone

its like amputating your head just to deal with a spot

[Withano]

you would not kill 5 people, dont be daft. what i mean by targetting is deal with the hypos in another way but dont charge everyone

its like amputating your head just to deal with a spot

Suggest a way to target these people. So far the top suggestion is charging everybody and you don't like this.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Suggest a way to target these people. So far the top suggestion is charging everybody and you don't like this.

charge them or get them to work there

[Withano]

charge them or get them to work there

I don't think creating a charge for say 10% of the population is fairer than creating an non-exclusive charge.

The only way I see around it would be refunding those generally sick the money upon diagnosis. But I still believe the propose unrefunded charge is better than wasting a doctors day work with last-minute cancelled slot, work skivers and the hypochondriacs.

A doctors time is valuable and so is the time of a sick person. The two week wait that some people are claiming in this thread to see a doctor is ridiculous, this charge will immediately cut this waiting time to a few days or less

[Crimson Dynamo]

I think you could charge women as they are always at the docs

blokes never go.

[Livia]

Charge people for missing appointments, I don't have a problem with that. Why should responsible patients who turn up be punished with a charge?

Good morning Trumpet.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Charge people for missing appointments, I don't have a problem with that. Why should responsible patients who turn up be punished with a charge?

Good morning Trumpet.

Morning x

[arista]

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/07/gps-vote-charging-patients-appointments



What do you think of this?

I think its a piss poor excuse to charge people to be honest. Though I wouldn't be against a charge for failing to turn up for an appointment...I see no reason at all why everyone should be penalized for the actions of a few. Even though thats becoming more and more common in every aspect of life...



Its a idea
Not a Policy


And will never be

[Vicky.]

You called the idea piss poor in your OP but don't you think if the idea was to go through none of the above would happen and you would be able to see your GP in a few days or less every time you feel as if you're in an emergency situation.

You can't complain over the current state of the NHS and the possible future state if it will instantly change the current state! You should pick a side, otherwise you're just saying "damned if you do, damned if you don't"

Considering there were 14 missed appointments in a month at our surgery I doubt that would make much difference...

Plus I would wager that OAPs would be exempt from this IF it were to happen (like everything else) so it wouldnt affect my surgery at all

Even so, charging for NHS when we already pay for it is ****ing ridiculous.

[Vicky.]

That wouldnt work, targeting the hypos only would simply kill these people if they were generally sick.

But charging everyone will include charging the 'hypos' anyway..so I dont see how only charging them would kill them? Considering they would have to pay either way.

[Vicky.]

Charge people for missing appointments, I don't have a problem with that. Why should responsible patients who turn up be punished with a charge?


because that seems to be the way of the world now, and some don't have a problem with it, which is quite scary tbh

[Kyle]

I don't have a problem with them charging a nominal fee (not that much) to people for missed appointments that weren't cancelled beforehand or had a genuine reason.

In fact, like the plank I am, I forgot about an appointment a couple of weeks back and when I saw the card in my back pocket I rang up expecting to be fined and when I didn't I was surprised.


But I don't agree with charging just to get an appointment. It will just encourage people to think twice when they really should in my opinion. Kinda contradicts the NHS and their advertisement campaigns about lung cancer and the like. Not many people will go to their GP on a speculative chance their cough was something more if the only thing they will be expecting to cough up will be 25 quid.

[Jesus.]

Killing 5 people per doctor on purpose is better than charging everyone?

Harold Shipman was a visionary.

[Jesus.]

It actually achieves the opposite of what they believe it will achieve. In the US, healthcare has been a massive issue, and because the poorest people don't have health insurance, they flock to the ER. It's actually costlier to the government for them to be treated this way, than with actual healthcare.

I can phone my docs by about 8.30am and get an appointment for the same day. How on earth do people manage without that service?

[Withano]

Considering there were 14 missed appointments in a month at our surgery I doubt that would make much difference...

Maybe your local surgery is overrun. 2 weeks waiting time sounds a little over the average to me... But service users knowing the exact amount of missed appointments in any given month doesn't sound realistic to me either so what do I know hey?

People that want to both be seen by their doctors quickly anytime they're sick and not to pay for this luxury under any circumstance are asking too much.

[Vicky.]

Maybe your local surgery is overrun. 2 weeks waiting time sounds a little over the average to me... But service users knowing the exact amount of missed appointments in any given month doesn't sound realistic to me either so what do I know hey?

People that want to both be seen by their doctors quickly anytime they're sick and not to pay for this luxury under any circumstance are asking too much.

Theres a big sign up in reception that changes every month to reflect the numbers :p

Also its hardly 'not paying under any circumstance' tbh, given that the huge majority of us pay NI or stuff like this, so in effect have already paid. Charging again comes across a bit like someone buying their shopping, then being charged if they want to eat it :laugh:

[Crimson Dynamo]

I dont think I have seen a doctor for over 10 years

[Vicky.]

Last time I saw a doctor I had suspected appendicitus..so got an appointment the same day (then transferred to hospital). Its murder trying to get an appointment with the midwife though. It seems to be the receptionists being twats rather than there being no appointments, as the midwife had to come out to my house a few weeks back because the receptionists kept telling me there was nothing for months. And she didnt understand it at all because she said she had had loads of spare appointments. I have to book direct through her (on her mobile) now..

I don't understand why the receptionist would say theres nothing when there is though. Bizarre :umm2:

[Jords]

Surely if anything it should be a fine for missed appointments, not a fee for all.

[Vicky.]

I believe my dentist fines if people miss appointments. And if they miss 3, they are basically kicked out of that dentist.

It used to be just the 3 strikes thing, but someone the other day was saying they had to pay £35 for missing one and they couldn;t book another appointment until that was paid.

[Aduk]

And it's even more expensive for basic treatment at an A&E - £82. This comes as more than 800,000 patients were forced to go to hospital last year because they failed to get a doctor's appointment. Yet more evidence of back-door Tory privatisation and how their disastrous health and social care reforms are increasing workloads for already strained GP's.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nhs-crisis-more-800000-patients-3523392 More here

[Kizzy]

And it's even more expensive for basic treatment at an A&E - £82. This comes as more than 800,000 patients were forced to go to hospital last year because they failed to get a doctor's appointment. Yet more evidence of back-door Tory privatisation and how their disastrous health and social care reforms are increasing workloads for already strained GP's.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nhs-crisis-more-800000-patients-3523392 More here

yep... run down the service, corrupt public confidence, job done.

[Marsh.]

People will be doing a Walter White just for a simple check up at this rate.