The Death of the NHS?

[(RIP) petcul]

The Lords start voting on Monday on the Bill before Parliament. This may be the last chance to influence Parliament on the future direction of the NHS.

If you believe that the government is taking the wrong direction please can you sign this petition and forward it to your friends, family and workmates, and ask them to sign by Monday morning?

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/Save-our-NHS

 

[Fanum]

To the Coalition government,

Our NHS is precious - we won't forgive you if you ruin it

• Don’t break up our health service and hand it to private healthcare companies
• Listen to the real experts - doctors, nurses and patients - when they give warnings about these plans
• Don't rush through massive changes without testing them properly first
• Protect patient care - don't cut beds, wards, doctors or nurses

I do hate these petitions, when they don't explain what is actually bad, what the proposals that they are aiming at actually are, and just try and get numbers signing by using such wide phrases as 'Save our NHS'.

I have no idea what this one is trying to achieve other than the simplistic terms they have said is the text of the petition

 

[Northants Rob]

What I'd like is a system that allows me to opt out of the NHS totally....taking my monthly funding into a private scheme...fed up of non-payers using up all the resource! Where do I sign for that?

 

[Northants Rob]

What I'd like is a system that allows me to opt out of the NHS totally....taking my monthly funding into a private scheme...fed up of non-payers using up all the resource! Where do I sign for that?

.....Oh yeah, silly me, the system would then fold..of course! Where would all the non-payers go then?

 

[MacFarlane]

The Lords start voting on Monday on the Bill before Parliament. This may be the last chance to influence Parliament on the future direction of the NHS.

If you believe that the government is taking the wrong direction please can you sign this petition and forward it to your friends, family and workmates, and ask them to sign by Monday morning?

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/Save-our-NHS

 

[daveo]

.....Oh yeah, silly me, the system would then fold..of course! Where would all the non-payers go then?

well said

 

[Jaq]

So, if the NHS is broken up and taken over by private companies.....I'm wondering how large my redundancy payment will be?...........

Or not...................

 

[Mort]

What I'd like is a system that allows me to opt out of the NHS totally....taking my monthly funding into a private scheme...fed up of non-payers using up all the resource! Where do I sign for that?

I'm not 100% up to date on this but I think I like the cut of this blokes jib.

 

[B4ndit]

What I'd like is a system that allows me to opt out of the NHS totally....taking my monthly funding into a private scheme...fed up of non-payers using up all the resource! Where do I sign for that?

I'd vote for that.

 

[Mort]

Quite often some of these petitions are promulgated by those with a vested interest. I'm sorry if your retirement plans are affected by the government but welcome to the real world

 

[John Armstrong]

I'm not 100% up to date on this but I think I like the cut of this blokes jib.

And of course the utter irony that if your company provides health care as a benefit, you pay extra tax even though you're less likely to use the facilities that your tax is paying.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

I've often wondered if there was an opt out clause to allow us to put what we pay in taxes for the NHS into private schemes would we get a better service. Apart from the redistributive element which gives (not so free) access to health for all - of which I'm in favour - the only experiences I have of other health services are in the US, Ireland, Central Asia and West Africa. The latter two would not be a fair comparison, all I would say is that even if you have money the treatments you get are limited.

I doubt that many of us would be able to afford good health in the US. Even if you (or your plan) can afford initial treatment you appear to get excluded from further cover. Treatment costs can be horrendous.

The schemes in Ireland appear to give reasonable cover but the costs to the individual are still fairly high.

The NHS has served the UK well. Long may it continue. The cost of running any health service plus profit means higher costs for us all. Look at drug companies in the US.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Maybe I've got it wrong, but:

I am 64 years of age.
The National Health service has been so good for me over the years that I cannot speak highly enough of it.

Duringh my life, I have had a very badly damaged finger treated, been cared for after a heart attack (familial problem), and been looked after through 3 bouts of Pancratitis, (I am teetotal) and had my gallbladder removed to prevent a recurrance.
Throughout all of this I could find no fault with the NHS in their treatment or care for me.

I am aware of things I disapprove of, and I recognise that the service is far from perfect, but, all things considered, it is, I believe, a fabulous service provided at minimal cost to myself.
I have never been umemployed, and have, therefore, always paid my way.
The value for money is beyond praise.

If the naysayers on this site ever go stateside & need treatment, they will discover, to their cost, just how poor care can be for those who cannot afford the sky high premiums.
I terms of what the Merkins get for their money, the value is appalling by comparison.

Myke

 

[Mr K]

Surely it's much the same: Either you pay an insurance premium or you pay taxes.
In either case if you don't require the medical services then you're paying for those that do.

Got to say I've had and continue to have my moneys worth from the NHS.

So thanks to all you healthy types who never have accidents.

 

[jonnie comet]

I am 64 years of age.
The National Health service has been so good for me over the years that I cannot speak highly enough of it.

Duringh my life, I have had a very badly damaged finger treated, been cared for after a heart attack (familial problem), and been looked after through 3 bouts of Pancratitis, (I am teetotal) and had my gallbladder removed to prevent a recurrance.
Throughout all of this I could find no fault with the NHS in their treatment or care for me.

I am aware of things I disapprove of, and I recognise that the service is far from perfect, but, all things considered, it is, I believe, a fabulous service provided at minimal cost to myself.
I have never been umemployed, and have, therefore, always paid my way.
The value for money is beyond praise.

If the naysayers on this site ever go stateside & need treatment, they will discover, to their cost, just how poor care can be for those who cannot afford the sky high premiums.
I terms of what the Merkins get for their money, the value is appalling by comparison.

Myke

Cock on Myke........

I’m a straight ten years younger than you and have been luckier with my health.

However, I have just had a face full of knee surgery courtesy of the NHS. The whole experience has been a complete eye opener. I was treated with dignity, courtesy and respect, by a thoroughly professional outfit. I can’t really imagine how my treatment could have been better.

I’ve also never been unemployed and therefore have always ‘paid my way’ .....

I’m from Yorkshire....I like (demand) value for money.....and I got it......

 

[Wanderer]

... The cost of running any health service plus profit means higher costs for us all ...

Just guessing, but are you looking at this from all angles?

For example, and only for example:

NHS sickness rates are reported at around 1.5 times higher than the private sector. Now, I don't know the reason for this. But I can only assume that if these jobs do become increasing controlled by the private sector, then perhaps the profit you refer to could be paid for by cutting these currently 'wasted' costs. Thus, no overall increase in total cost, just convert current sickness cost to profit.

My point, I think you're being a bit overly simplistic and sensationalist.

 

[STUBBS]

What I'd like is a system that allows me to opt out of the NHS totally....taking my monthly funding into a private scheme...fed up of non-payers using up all the resource! Where do I sign for that?

but where would you go once your slice of the private sheme has been used up if you have a long term illness

 

[jonnie comet]

but where would you go once your slice of the private sheme has been used up if you have a long term illness

....Where indeed ?......If his 'input' is used up, he's Donald Ducked.....Good riddance eh??!!.....

 

[Bigfella]

Been off work for ten weeks now and I,ve been told I need an operation the only trouble is I need to wait 18 weeks just to see a nuero surgeon.
I,ve worked all my life and payed into the system but whats the NHS doing for me.