[Vicky.]

I wouldn't necessarily say its broken, but it is severely underfunded. And there are changes that can and maybe shoud be made to help the NHS. I really do not want to end up in an American style system where the poorest are basically left to fend for themelves (though I believe this Obama care if it still exists helps that? Not up to date on American stuff tbh)

I flip between thinking this is a good idea and a bad idea. Means testing certain treatments. For example gastric bands (when the obesity is not caused by a medical problem) or the likes of plastic surgeries. Not sure if we still do boobjobs on the NHS but stuff like that really should not be funded if we do. With the exception of rebuilding after mastectomies and such. I think this would ease the pressure, but on the other hand it would maybe just speed up the privatization of the NHS and put us even closer to an American type model.

But yeah, at present the NHS is pretty ****ed. Most NHS staff I know acknowledge this. Where are these people kicking off because Trump said this? And was that really all he said or was there more?

[bots]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I wouldn't necessarily say its broken, but it is severely underfunded. And there are changes that can and maybe shoud be made to help the NHS. I really do not want to end up in an American style system where the poorest are basically left to fend for themelves (though I believe this Obama care if it still exists helps that? Not up to date on American stuff tbh)

I flip between thinking this is a good idea and a bad idea. Means testing certain treatments. For example gastric bands (when the obesity is not caused by a medical problem) or the likes of plastic surgeries. Not sure if we still do boobjobs on the NHS but stuff like that really should not be funded if we do. With the exception of rebuilding after mastectomies and such. I think this would ease the pressure, but on the other hand it would maybe just speed up the privatization of the NHS and put us even closer to an American type model.

But yeah, at present the NHS is pretty ****ed. Most NHS staff I know acknowledge this. Where are these people kicking off because Trump said this? And was that really all he said or was there more?

They pay a huge, and I mean huge monthly fee for Obama care, more than the average person would put toward a mortgage in the UK. So, give me our NHS any day of the week

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

They pay a huge, and I mean huge monthly fee for Obama care, more than the average person would put toward a mortgage in the UK. So, give me our NHS any day of the week

Ah right. I thought Obamacare was kind of like, a safetynet NHS kind of thing for the less well off. Given how much people seemed to love it So its basically just more huge insurance fees?

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Ah right. I thought Obamacare was kind of like, a safetynet NHS kind of thing for the less well off. Given how much people seemed to love it So its basically just more huge insurance fees?

From what I understand there is a VERY basic "safetynet" system (e.g. a homeless person would still be treated in a local hospital) but it's literally for things that are immediately life-threatening... they stabilise you and patch you up and the rest is your problem. They wouldn't, for example, treat a painful condition if it wasn't actually killing you.

Obamacare (as I understand it) is essentially a means-tested pseudo-insurance... it works like standard health insurance except that it's subsidised based on income? I think it's mainly aimed at lower-wage working people if they don't get a health insurance package through their employer, but anyone can have it (the more your income, the more you will pay for it).

[bots]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Ah right. I thought Obamacare was kind of like, a safetynet NHS kind of thing for the less well off. Given how much people seemed to love it So its basically just more huge insurance fees?

the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies (health care providers) have got it all sewn up. Its an outrageous scam, so Donald is quite right to address it, I just don't think he will come up with anything better, but if he does, he will have redeemed his presidency at a stroke

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Means testing certain treatments. For example gastric bands (when the obesity is not caused by a medical problem) or the likes of plastic surgeries. Not sure if we still do boobjobs on the NHS but stuff like that really should not be funded if we do. With the exception of rebuilding after mastectomies and such.

These things are a problem but tbh they're not the major issue when it comes to unnecessary treatment costs. Yes, these surgeries are expensive but the number being done is relatively small...

...the MAIN problem is minor injuries and ailments. People going to their GP for antibiotics because they have a sniffle, or A&E for any minor bump / scrape / burn. Each individual treatment cost is of course far lower than those big surgeries... but there are a few people getting major surgeries. There are literally MILLIONS of people using the NHS for things that they could, and should, quite effectively treat at home on their own. I genuinely believe that a huge part of the solution is general health education, so that people can accurately assess their own health / an injury and know how to treat minor things without needing to lean on healthcare. Of course sometimes you're going to be sick enough to need medical attention, or sustain an injury that might need looking at, but people seem to be A) really bad at knowing the difference and B) really impatient (e.g. people will go to a doctor if they're ill and not totally better after 2 days, EVEN IF their symptoms are obviously improving not worsening... let your body heal! Let your immune system work!)

But yeah... those "little things" stack up to costing needless fortunes. It's not even always that people are entitled / selfish, either - people are anxious about their health, they are inclined to want "an expert opinion" and have totally lost the ability to self-assess and treat minor ailments. There should be a mandatory weekly class in schools - it's just as important as something like P.E.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

These things are a problem but tbh they're not the major issue when it comes to unnecessary treatment costs. Yes, these surgeries are expensive but the number being done is relatively small...

...the MAIN problem is minor injuries and ailments. People going to their GP for antibiotics because they have a sniffle, or A&E for any minor bump / scrape / burn. Each individual treatment cost is of course far lower than those big surgeries... but there are a few people getting major surgeries. There are literally MILLIONS of people using the NHS for things that they could, and should, quite effectively treat at home on their own. I genuinely believe that a huge part of the solution is general health education, so that people can accurately assess their own health / an injury and know how to treat minor things without needing to lean on healthcare. Of course sometimes you're going to be sick enough to need medical attention, or sustain an injury that might need looking at, but people seem to be A) really bad at knowing the difference and B) really impatient (e.g. people will go to a doctor if they're ill and not totally better after 2 days, EVEN IF their symptoms are obviously improving not worsening... let your body heal! Let your immune system work!)

But yeah... those "little things" stack up to costing needless fortunes. It's not even always that people are entitled / selfish, either - people are anxious about their health, they are inclined to want "an expert opinion" and have totally lost the ability to self-assess and treat minor ailments. There should be a mandatory weekly class in schools - it's just as important as something like P.E.

Yeah I know those are a problem too. I genuinely do not know why GPs do paracetamol on prescription? It costs a fortune..there was a notice up in my doctors saying that whats spend on paracetamol prescriptions ( think it was just in my area too) could fund like 50 nurses for a year or something like that. So..if they know this, why the **** are they still doling out paracetamol on prescription?! It costs like 20p, even the poorest of the poor could afford to buy some. Same with the free calpol and such for children really..everytime I go to the chemist counter with some they inform me I can get it free if I fill out a form...I know calpol is more than tablets are but still. Surely that should only be for extremely low income families, not universal.

Why people go to the GP for coughs and colds I will never know. Same for demanding antibiotics when they dont work on them...but again, why the hell do GPs give them?

I don't think 111 help matters at all. They tell everyone to go to A+E it seems.

[ChristmasNeeve]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Yeah I know those are a problem too. I genuinely do not know why GPs do paracetamol on prescription? It costs a fortune..there was a notice up in my doctors saying that whats spend on paracetamol prescriptions ( think it was just in my area too) could fund like 50 nurses for a year or something like that. So..if they know this, why the **** are they still doling out paracetamol on precription?! It costs like 20p, even the poorest of the poor could afford to buy some. Same with the free calpol and such for children really..everytime I go to the chemist counter with some they inform me I can get it free if I fill out a form...I know calpol is more than tablets are but still. Surely that should only be for extremely low income families, not universal.

Why people go to the GP for coughs and colds I will never know. Same for demanding antibiotics when they dont work on them...but again, why the hell do GPs give them?

I don't think 111 help matters at all. They tell everyone to go to A+E it seems.

Over here we pay to see the GP but lower income/unemployed people etc can qualify for medical cards which means the GP is free and it's something that's been complained about alot actually, that it's always those with medical cards that go to see the GP for every sniffle, so it seems to be abused when it's free and thought about a bit more when you have to fork out for it yourself

[smudgie]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

These things are a problem but tbh they're not the major issue when it comes to unnecessary treatment costs. Yes, these surgeries are expensive but the number being done is relatively small...

...the MAIN problem is minor injuries and ailments. People going to their GP for antibiotics because they have a sniffle, or A&E for any minor bump / scrape / burn. Each individual treatment cost is of course far lower than those big surgeries... but there are a few people getting major surgeries. There are literally MILLIONS of people using the NHS for things that they could, and should, quite effectively treat at home on their own. I genuinely believe that a huge part of the solution is general health education, so that people can accurately assess their own health / an injury and know how to treat minor things without needing to lean on healthcare. Of course sometimes you're going to be sick enough to need medical attention, or sustain an injury that might need looking at, but people seem to be A) really bad at knowing the difference and B) really impatient (e.g. people will go to a doctor if they're ill and not totally better after 2 days, EVEN IF their symptoms are obviously improving not worsening... let your body heal! Let your immune system work!)

But yeah... those "little things" stack up to costing needless fortunes. It's not even always that people are entitled / selfish, either - people are anxious about their health, they are inclined to want "an expert opinion" and have totally lost the ability to self-assess and treat minor ailments. There should be a mandatory weekly class in schools - it's just as important as something like P.E.

That’s the crux of it TS.
Common sense, or maybe common knowledge seems to have gone awol.
Why on earth anybody with a cough or sniffle thinks they need a doctor or antibiotics is beyond me.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by smudgie

That’s the crux of it TS.
Common sense, or maybe common knowledge seems to have gone awol.
Why on earth anybody with a cough or sniffle thinks they need a doctor or antibiotics is beyond me.

My wife has a friend who drives us nuts, she gets her daughters antibiotics for EVERY little thing. I'm convinced she'd get them for a sprained ankle. And then after she gets them, half an hour after the first dose she'll be like "Oh yes, _____ feeling much better now, see the antibiotics must have helped" ... when that's not even how they work! It's literally impossible that it's the antibiotics... the capsule probably hasn't even digested yet!

[smudgie]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

My wife has a friend who drives us nuts, she gets her daughters antibiotics for EVERY little thing. I'm convinced she'd get them for a sprained ankle. And then after she gets them, half an hour after the first dose she'll be like "Oh yes, _____ feeling much better now, see the antibiotics must have helped" ... when that's not even how they work! It's literally impossible that it's the antibiotics... the capsule probably hasn't even digested yet!

Placebo.
Give them a smartie and tell them it will make them feel better.

[ChristmasNeeve]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

My wife has a friend who drives us nuts, she gets her daughters antibiotics for EVERY little thing. I'm convinced she'd get them for a sprained ankle. And then after she gets them, half an hour after the first dose she'll be like "Oh yes, _____ feeling much better now, see the antibiotics must have helped" ... when that's not even how they work! It's literally impossible that it's the antibiotics... the capsule probably hasn't even digested yet!

The Doctors need to be tougher with people and not hand them out like that imo, it's ridiculous

[Yuki Maru Hoshi]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

My wife has a friend who drives us nuts, she gets her daughters antibiotics for EVERY little thing. I'm convinced she'd get them for a sprained ankle. And then after she gets them, half an hour after the first dose she'll be like "Oh yes, _____ feeling much better now, see the antibiotics must have helped" ... when that's not even how they work! It's literally impossible that it's the antibiotics... the capsule probably hasn't even digested yet!

That's not a good idea, because we will build immunity the more they are used. To abuse them like that, she is doing more harm than good.

My doctors like to give me antibiotics for the flu, just in case it's bacterial even when they already know what is going around is viral. So I usually don't fill it.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Maru

That's not a good idea, because we will build immunity the more they are used. To abuse them like that, she is doing more harm than good.

Yeah... we've given up on trying to tell her this .

[Cherry Christmas]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

These things are a problem but tbh they're not the major issue when it comes to unnecessary treatment costs. Yes, these surgeries are expensive but the number being done is relatively small...

...the MAIN problem is minor injuries and ailments. People going to their GP for antibiotics because they have a sniffle, or A&E for any minor bump / scrape / burn. Each individual treatment cost is of course far lower than those big surgeries... but there are a few people getting major surgeries. There are literally MILLIONS of people using the NHS for things that they could, and should, quite effectively treat at home on their own. I genuinely believe that a huge part of the solution is general health education, so that people can accurately assess their own health / an injury and know how to treat minor things without needing to lean on healthcare. Of course sometimes you're going to be sick enough to need medical attention, or sustain an injury that might need looking at, but people seem to be A) really bad at knowing the difference and B) really impatient (e.g. people will go to a doctor if they're ill and not totally better after 2 days, EVEN IF their symptoms are obviously improving not worsening... let your body heal! Let your immune system work!)

But yeah... those "little things" stack up to costing needless fortunes. It's not even always that people are entitled / selfish, either - people are anxious about their health, they are inclined to want "an expert opinion" and have totally lost the ability to self-assess and treat minor ailments. There should be a mandatory weekly class in schools - it's just as important as something like P.E.

I would say at least 60% of cases in A&E are non emergency, just people with no common sense