Safe in our Hands

Wookster

Did anyone see This Week where Alan Johnson (former health Secretary) stated that it was the system rather than the people :eek::eek::eek:

grizzly1911

Generali wrote: »

The NHS is simply too big to work. The NHS costs roughly double per head what I spend on health insurance for a family of 4.

Do none of your taxes go towards health care costs?

Wiki (yes I know) suggests per capita isn't dissimilar to UK?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_total_health_expenditure_%28PPP%29_per_capita

What is health care like for those that can't afford to pay?

ILW

Generali wrote: »

The NHS is simply too big to work. The NHS costs roughly double per head what I spend on health insurance for a family of 4.

Have you checked what this insurance would cost if you or one or two of your family had a pre existing chronic illness which they expected to be covered?

Generali

ILW wrote: »

Have you checked what this insurance would cost if you or one or two of your family had a pre existing chronic illness which they expected to be covered?

No need to. If my kids get a chronic illness then they can continue using my insurer.

If you are dumb enough to discontinue your insurance then get a chronic illness then you're going to have to rely on the state system. It's better than the NHS as it only deals with people that really need help.

grizzly1911

Generali wrote: »

No need to. If my kids get a chronic illness then they can continue using my insurer.

If you are dumb enough to discontinue your insurance then get a chronic illness then you're going to have to rely on the state system. It's better than the NHS as it only deals with people that really need help.

What do you think will happen to the premiums should any of you be unfortunate to acquire/develop a chronic illness.

What do you think will happen top your premiums as you age?

Generali

grizzly1911 wrote: »

Do none of your taxes go towards health care costs?

There is basic and chronic care available from the state

grizzly1911 wrote: »

Wiki (yes I know) suggests per capita isn't dissimilar to UK?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_total_health_expenditure_%28PPP%29_per_capita

What is health care like for those that can't afford to pay?

Total spend I believe is about the same. The quality is much higher here.

If you can't afford to pay then you'll still be seen. For example, in my suburb there are 2 GPs. One is 'free' (i.e. Medicare covers the cost) and the other is $35 a visit (net).

If you go to the free place then you have to be on time or be shouted at, you are more obviously time limited (less so than an NHS GP I would guess although I don't know), the building is a converted house rather than a bespoke building. The quality overall is rather higher than on the NHS I think and the length of time you get with the doctor is definitely more.

People don't die from a lack of care but sometimes they have to save up for it or ask their family to help. It's worth remembering that we pay a far lower rate of tax here so we can afford to pay our own way.

MacMickster

grizzly1911 wrote: »

What do you think will happen to the premiums should any of you be unfortunate to acquire/develop a chronic illness.

What do you think will happen top your premiums as you age?

I had pet insurance in respect of a dog that developed a chronic condition. Insurance premiums rose from £12 per month to £135 per month. Once the condition was diagnosed we were effectively trapped with that insurer, and they certainly knew it.

Imagine what the premiums would increase to for a person diagnosed with a chronic condition and potentially 50 years of life ahead of them. :eek:

BobQ

Wookster wrote: »

Did anyone see This Week where Alan Johnson (former health Secretary) stated that it was the system rather than the people :eek::eek::eek:

The World Health Organization defines health system as
follows:

"A health system consists of all organizations, people and actions whose
primary intent is to promote, restore or maintain health. This includes efforts
to influence determinants of health as well as more direct health-improving
activities. A health system is therefore more than the pyramid of publicly owned
facilities that deliver personal health services. It includes, for example, a
mother caring for a sick child at home; private providers; behaviour change
programmes; vector-control campaigns; health insurance organizations;
occupational health and safety legislation. It includes inter-sectoral action by
health staff, for example, encouraging the ministry of education to promote
female education, a well known determinant of better health.

Do we have any vector -control campaigns in UK?:)

grizzly1911

Generali wrote: »

Total spend I believe is about the same. The quality is much higher here.



If you go to the free place then you have to be on time or be shouted at, you are more obviously time limited (less so than an NHS GP I would guess although I don't know), the building is a converted house rather than a bespoke building. The quality overall is rather higher than on the NHS I think and the length of time you get with the doctor is definitely more.

Quality is subjective and I would suggest is also subject to regional variations in the UK. When I have used private facilities in the UK they will fawn over you but you often get the guy you would have seen in the NHS. "Hotel" services will be better I grant you that.

Where we live we have a pretty slick GP service, not time limited, same day urgent appointments usually available. They have a good relationship with the local general hospital and who are also good.

I do accept we may be lucky.