Why not NHS test for travel

Butts

mattyprice4004 said:

flopsy1973 said:

Why does the pcr test have to come through a private company for travel . Whats wrong with using the NHS pcr tests ? Will anyone know ? 

If you can afford to travel, you can afford a test.
My taxes aren’t paid for you to go on holiday using NHS tests.  

But you are presumably  quite happy your taxes contribute to the ones that are handed out like smarties on demand to anyone that wants them for other purposes ?

Troytempest

I can afford to travel and I can afford a test.
Thousands of people can afford to go to festivals and the like and presumably can afford a test also but the Government is happy to pay for those tests.

Butts

If The Government controlled the system the tests would probably be available a lot cheaper (if not free) and they would have more control over what is going on with regard to all the current loopholes driving a cart and horses through the legislation.

The intentions are honourable but the application a complete farce and of negligible effect.

For example I arrive home from Albania on Sunday Night, legitimately catch a bus to my overnight Hotel at Heathrow and then connect to an early morning flight to Edinburgh the next day all without having to take a test. On arrival in Edinburgh I am quite at liberty to board a bus or train home and use the same mode of transport to and from my test venue.

Can anyone spot any potential flaws in this 

gary83

Troytempest said:

I can afford to travel and I can afford a test.
Thousands of people can afford to go to festivals and the like and presumably can afford a test also but the Government is happy to pay for those tests.

Playing devils advocate, if the lateral flow tests are used to attend British pubs, restaurants, festivals or sporting events then those tests are enabling people to support uk based businesses. businesses that would continue to need tax payers support like the furlough scheme if they weren’t able to trade due to lateral flow tests. There is more benefit to the taxpayer and the government in allowing lateral flow tests to keep our own economy open.

CKhalvashi

gary83 said:

Troytempest said:

I can afford to travel and I can afford a test.
Thousands of people can afford to go to festivals and the like and presumably can afford a test also but the Government is happy to pay for those tests.

Playing devils advocate, if the lateral flow tests are used to attend British pubs, restaurants, festivals or sporting events then those tests are enabling people to support uk based businesses. businesses that would continue to need tax payers support like the furlough scheme if they weren’t able to trade due to lateral flow tests. There is more benefit to the taxpayer and the government in allowing lateral flow tests to keep our own economy open.

That's a point I hadn't considered, which is true.

Pubs and restaurants yes, festivals are a bit more difficult though, as while they create short term UK work, many aren't UK-owned.

zagfles

gary83 said:

Troytempest said:

I can afford to travel and I can afford a test.
Thousands of people can afford to go to festivals and the like and presumably can afford a test also but the Government is happy to pay for those tests.

Playing devils advocate, if the lateral flow tests are used to attend British pubs, restaurants, festivals or sporting events then those tests are enabling people to support uk based businesses. businesses that would continue to need tax payers support like the furlough scheme if they weren’t able to trade due to lateral flow tests. There is more benefit to the taxpayer and the government in allowing lateral flow tests to keep our own economy open.

Using that logic perhaps free NHS tests should be offered to foreigners visiting the UK

michael1234

The NHS treats heavy smokers, drinkers, those that do no exercise and those that eat at McDonalds most days. They also provide free tests for almost any purpose except travel.

I'm starting to think NHS at cost (that isn't free) might be the right way to go. Why should several hundred private companies be allowed to profit out of this misery.

CKhalvashi

Butts said:

If The Government controlled the system the tests would probably be available a lot cheaper (if not free) and they would have more control over what is going on with regard to all the current loopholes driving a cart and horses through the legislation.

The intentions are honourable but the application a complete farce and of negligible effect.

For example I arrive home from Albania on Sunday Night, legitimately catch a bus to my overnight Hotel at Heathrow and then connect to an early morning flight to Edinburgh the next day all without having to take a test. On arrival in Edinburgh I am quite at liberty to board a bus or train home and use the same mode of transport to and from my test venue.

Can anyone spot any potential flaws in this 

I've always tested at the airport on arrival where possible as I value paying a slightly higher price for the convenience, but then you'll get some radical thinkers complaining about private companies profiting from the situation and coming up with half brained schemes to 'stop' this, which in reality won't work in any way.

The bottom line is that the NHS should not be left to burden people travelling as this is a personal choice or the choice of the company they are working for. Opening up NHS testing for travel as a chargeable service leaves this too open to abuse from a minority to be fair to those playing by the rules.

michael1234 said:

The NHS treats heavy smokers, drinkers, those that do no exercise and those that eat at McDonalds most days. They also provide free tests for almost any purpose except travel.

I'm starting to think NHS at cost (that isn't free) might be the right way to go. Why should several hundred private companies be allowed to profit out of this misery.

Which then prices those who can't afford healthcare out of healthcare completely, leaving a system like the US where medical bill debt is a problem. This is in its core against what I stand for, so you're not going to win any debate with me on this one.

onashoestring

You can’t use the NHS free tests but you can pay for NHS PCR tests which are booked via the international arrivals NHS test ordering service  cost £68 
https://book-travel-test-enter-uk.service.gov.uk/

gary83

michael1234 said:

The NHS treats heavy smokers, drinkers, those that do no exercise and those that eat at McDonalds most days. They also provide free tests for almost any purpose except travel.

I'm starting to think NHS at cost (that isn't free) might be the right way to go. Why should several hundred private companies be allowed to profit out of this misery.

just playing Devils advocate again, those that do no exercise could equally complain about those that do burdening the state fixing their rugby injuries, dodgy knees, cycling accidents etc. 

As much as we all like to grumble about the NHS, if the biggest thing we have to moan about is having to fork out an extra few quid on the price of a holiday we really haven’t got much to worry about.

I remember pointing out the local hospital as we drove past to somebody that had just emigrated from the states, told them how to get to A&E in an emergency and flippantly said if it’s that bad just call an ambulance, her response was I’d never call an ambulance, they’re far too expensive. Made me realise just how relatively easy we have things healthwise.