Should people have to pay to see a GP?

Eton_Rifle

dmg24 wrote: »

If anyone thinks that compulsory insurance is a good idea they should research the US system. Scary stuff ...

Yes, absolutely but the one good thing about the US system (probably the only thing) is that it pays for the research for all those drugs we take for granted.

If the US had a NHS style system, that multi-billion health industry wouldn't exist because there'd be no huge profits to be made from people's illnesses - there just wouldn't be all that research and development money for the drugs from which we all benefit worldwide.

Almost no-one develops drugs for the love of mankind, they do it for profit and the're doing it so they can sell the drugs for cold hard cash not give them away like sweeties to the needy.

So we may criticise that system but be aware that it's been pretty good for us because it's the US citizens who foot the research and development bill for our drugs.

Humphrey10

One of the GP surgeries I went to once had a list of things at the counter (eg minor injuries, vaccinations, contraception, loads of other things), when you went to make an appointment they asked if it was for something on the list, and if it was, they made you an appointment with a nurse.
It was a great system, you didn't need to say exactly what the appointment was for to the receptionist, and you didn't need to know which things a nurse can do or not (because personally, I would have had no idea if I needed to see a doctor or a nurse without the list). That sort of system should be more widespread.

lostinrates

Humphrey10 wrote: »

One of the GP surgeries I went to once had a list of things at the counter (eg minor injuries, vaccinations, contraception, loads of other things), when you went to make an appointment they asked if it was for something on the list, and if it was, they made you an appointment with a nurse.
It was a great system, you didn't need to say exactly what the appointment was for to the receptionist, and you didn't need to know which things a nurse can do or not (because personally, I would have had no idea if I needed to see a doctor or a nurse without the list). That sort of system should be more widespread.

That does sound good. My last, fantastic surgery also had a nurse practitioner: who could do more than a ''normal'' nurse and was great. I wonder what proportion of this average £60 she'd cost f a doctor was £6?

FelinePrincess

meames wrote: »

why am i to be penalised? Why should I pay more but because people choose to have a large family they pay less? I would like a family but it hasn't happened. This wold be another kick. I have no money, but because I am by myself others seem to believe we single people should pay for everything.

I am, as an unmarried person classed as single (I think), my oh has been out of work for the past year since being made redundant. So, under my suggested system I would be one of the one's paying £15 for an appointment. I wouldn't view it as being penalised, I would just see that as the amount I have to pay, whether others have to pay less or more then me shouldn't affect how I feel about paying the £15 as far as I'm concerned. Different people have different circumstances and the fees might need to be different to suit these different circumstances. They could do a flat fee of £2 for everyone regardless of their situation, but if I was one of those who went to the drs over every sniffle £2 would not be a deterrent to me as £2 isn't going to make a big difference to me, but to someone on benefits that £2 might well make a difference and make them take the service more seriously.

It makes no odds to me what someone else pays - it's what I pay that affects me so why should I feel angry about what someone else pays.

I pay for a private dentist as do alot of people, some people have nhs dentists which makes no difference to me. I understand that everyone can't have it for free, but I don't feel that it is my 'right' to have a free dentist and I think it's a service that's worth paying for. So while it would have been nicer to spend the £100 I spent in the dentist the other day on something else I am still happy to pay it. As I would feel fine about paying a fee for visiting a gp.

Are you against the idea of paying to see a gp all together or just against the suggestion that people who could afford less could pay less?

In my mind under that system if you were on a low income you would get a subsidised rate, also appointments for ongoing medical conditions wouldn't be chargeable.

blah11

In a word, no.

I think it's a terrible idea to charge people if they don'thave anything wrong with them too. I'd much rather they go just incase than someone dying or becoming seriously ill because they can't afford it. I think A&E would end up busier too.

It's ashame some people abuse the NHS though.

blah11

Also, I've been told to see the nurse practitioner a few times when I've went in with my daughter but every single time I end up needing to wait longer cos she thinks a doctor needs to see her.. such a waste of time.

blah11

and did you know locum doctors get around £1000 (before tax) per shift. If thats not disgusting I don't know what is

Svenena

How would this work for someone with a long-term health problem? My cousin became very ill when she was 18, and has had multiple trips to the doctors, every few weeks, firstly to get a diagnosis (turned out to be a type of arthritis), then to try and find a suitable treatment, and then for monitoring and prescription pain meds. She can't work, so where would she get the money to pay for this? There must be lots of people who have to visit their GPs on a monthly or so basis - should they be charged every time?

I'm another one who simply wouldn't go if I had to pay. I've only been to the doctor's twice in the past six years as it is (once I was given antibiotics, the other time I needed a prescription for medicine which isn't available over-the-counter), so I hardly think I'm wasting doctors' time. I wouldn't have gone for either of those if it was going to cost me £60, or even £15. No idea what would have happened without the antibiotics, but I know if I hadn't had the other meds it would have had a significant detrimental affect on my life. I think I would pay £5 to see a GP, but I don't suppose that would make any significant difference. And even then, people on low-incomes/benefits would struggle - I don't think rich doctors realise how little money some people have to survive on.

I feel guilty whenever I have to make an appointment as it is, in case it turns out I don't have a serious issue and I'm wasting doctor's time. But I'm not a qualified healthcare professional, so how am I to know, without seeing anyone? I like the idea of a triage system, where you see a nurse (or maybe a pharmacist?) at the surgery, who can then either direct you on to see a GP, give you some general advice, prescribe some meds, or send you home.

Or how about having a system whereby you first phone NHS Direct, and need a referral from them before being able to see a GP? Or you could also choose to visit a pharmacist first, and they would also be able to provide referrals if they felt it was necessary. This would mean some people, eg those with colds and viruses, etc, would be filtered out before getting to the GP. I can see problems with this too though (eg I've spoken to NHS Direct a couple of times and found them totally useless).

I think charging for non-attended appointments seems fair enough, although I'm not sure how enforceable it would be, and some discretion would be necessary.

zcrat41

Interesting one.

I had the same family doctors for 29 years of my life. Went to see him twice. Once when I nearly died as a baby. Once for a work required health check up. He knew my name, my family and was a fab doctor to the rest of my family. Appointments were available between 7am and 6pm Mon to Fri and Sat am's.

I've just registered at a new doctors and am quite surprised at how I've been treated - as if I'm a timewaster. I had 3 issues I wanted to discuss with a doctor, (would have been happy with a nurse if that had been offered). I even said to the receptionist I have 2 or 3 things to discuss, will one appointment be long enough? Firstly, I could only make an appointment between 9am and 5pm Mon - Fri. How useless is that for the majority of the working population? When I got there I was treated by the doctor as if I was wasting his time. He just barked "what" at me 3 or 4 times and kept saying "and"....."and"... He gave me some contraceptive advice that I've actually made an appointment with a nurse to talk about as he gave me no indication of some basics - I was too scared to say much and thats saying something for me!!

The whole surgery seems based around the fact that people are wasting their time. The time wasters should most definitely be penalised. But the mother worried about a child and is just checking something out shouldn't be - and how on earth do you decide which is which?

blah11

I got a docs appointment for Tues for my daughter regarding milk intolerances. I want her allergy tested.. no idea if its possible or if he'll just tell me to cut it out but i dont feel guilty