£25 to see the Doctor?

Koicarp

The best way to cut the DNA rates is to scrap the appointments system. Appointments should only be used for those with chronic conditions. Use a drop in system for others. Open 0700-2000 but close the doors at 1900, use triage nurses to send the patients to the right professionals either nurse, nurse practitioner or GP.

timbo58

Theres some argument in that Koicarp.

I like having an appointment however as I'm too damn busy to waste either the Docs or my own time frankly.
Turning up ad hoc and only having a lunchtime window of perhaps 30 minutes doesn't allow for waiting much time however.

As for charging I'd be more than happy to turn up with last months payslip to show how much NI I already pay in, or perhaps the charge would be deductible against this?

I'm at the victor meldrew stage in life (albeit probably too young a that) where I strongly dislike being disadvantaged time-wise by those who are not in full time employment being in queues in front of me.
Many through their own choice it seems.

Thats my fault I know but it irritates, no cure for that!

Tancred

Carl31 wrote: »

Just watching Matthew Wright on Channel 5, who is discussing a story where a £25 charge has been suggested to see a GP in order to cut down on time wasters and the strain they place on the NHS

I am all for charging for appointments for those exact reasons, it might also make people look after themselves more, however i feel £25 is too much. Is this a fair amount to be charged?

I think it should be more like the current prescription charge, with no further charge for medication

I think a charge is necessary - too many people abuse the system. £25 is too much though - £10 is much more sensible. Having said that, GPs should be made to work on Saturdays on a rota basis - they earn more than enough already, so they should not get paid any more for this.

timbo58

I thought as others had said the argument was accepted that those who probably do abuse the system are also likely to be those who would be exempt from charging at whatever level?

i.e. if those on benefits etc can get away without paying any 'fine' for their own actions then why the heck should those of us who darn well pay their way and don't abuse the system pay a £10 charge for them?

Lets have some proper figures of whom abuses the system and then take action to prevent this instead of playing knee jerk pseudo populist politics.

I am completely opposed to any charging just for an appointment unless it is a refundable charge on turn up.
It won't penalise those who abuse the system, just everyone else.

Tancred

CynicalScotsman wrote: »

:rotfl::T

This made me laugh!!!

£10 for 20 minutes!

How about real world charges if you want a private 'family doctor'

Prices:
15 minutes - £70 30 minutes - £128

From Bupa!

About the same as a plumber then! :rotfl:

Pennywise

CynicalScotsman wrote: »

:rotfl::T

This made me laugh!!!

£10 for 20 minutes!

How about real world charges if you want a private 'family doctor'

From Bupa!

The £10 allows for the GP's existing huge pay - it's not instead of. If they didn't get paid from the NHS, then, yes, £100 per appointment is more realistic. The charge isn't supposed to be more pay for the GP, it's a deterrent for timewasters, so a tenner seems about right AS LONG as it applies to everyone, even OAPs and Benefit claimants. As others have suggested, we need to know the breakdown of the types of patient who miss/waste appointments - I'd stick my neck out and say it's probably OAPs and benefit claimants, so making them exempt kinds of makes the whole thing pointless. Unless, of course, it's just another cynical money making ploy by the GPs??

Yorkie1

£10 doesn't sound much, but if you're already on the breadline, have had to pay council tax for the first time, have had LHA reduced because you have one too many bedrooms but can't find anything smaller / cheaper, have had fuel costs go up and a pay freeze for 5 years then £10 could be completely unaffordable.

Errata

I'd stick my neck out and say it's probably OAPs

It very often is pensioners, because they've been admitted to hospital and nobody has cancelled their appt. It's not unusual for a pensioner to miss an appt at a hospital dept because they're in a bed in another part of the hospital