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[Immigrant in UK] I'll never forget at one party/gathering where in a conversation I proposed that some base charge should be applied to those who book appointm

[Immigrant in UK] I'll never forget at one party/gathering where in a conversation I proposed that some base charge should be applied to those who book appointments with their GP and don't show up. I suggested a fiver (which I think is very low tbh). I was then subject to the most unexpected arguments, accusations and outrage! I truly got it then that the NHS is the real state religion in Britain.

heavenlyblue 8y ago
These are the same people who forget that a single visit to an NHS dentist is about £20 anyway.
- tialaramex 8y ago
  It isn't if you have the certificate saying you proved you can't afford this sort of thing. Most NHS dentists have the paperwork and posters advertising it if you are somehow unaware those exist. Everything is free if you're both poor AND fill out all the paperwork. There is a debate to be had about whether "make poor people fill out paperwork" is a justifiable approach, but it doesn't have to cost you £20 for the check-up.
  - IneffablePigeon 8y ago
    I was going to do this when I was a student and the form was so long and convoluted I decided to just pay. It all seemed just slightly designed to stop you claiming it.
    - wackro 8y ago
      I filled that form out too. It wasn't the quickest, but it wasn't difficult either. Definitely didn't get the impression that it was some kind of barrier.
Jonnax 8y ago
Because when you start charging, the price will only go up. University used to be free in the UK. Then tuition fees at University started at £1000ish a year, went up to about £3000, and is now £9000. All in about 10 years. Also small fees like these affect the poor more than the well off. If I miss an appointment and it costs me £5, I wouldn't miss the money. A quick search apparently shows that a quarter of British households have less than £100 in savings. [0] When that's 5% of their money that's just punishing the poor. [0] https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-4234518/Savings-inequality-rise-gap-grows-25.html https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-4234518/Savings-...
- dev_north_east 8y ago
  I've literally heard all of this before. I'll say "Well they shouldn't miss the appointment, they can cancel if they can't make it" To which you'll reply something about people and last minute, completely unavoidable things which prevent appointments being made. To which, I'll reply that blah blah and on and on. I've learned there's no point. I don't think fees for that are abnormal (have seen them and their handling of scenarios in operation in other countries to no big alarm) but it's against NHS dogma! Don't get me wrong, I like the NHS but there's seriously zealot-esque thinking towards it from many corners. It's not a case of "totally free" or the USA. But as said, I'm an immigrant and have learned to keep quite on such matters.
  - Jonnax 8y ago
    GP appointments are 10 to 15 minutes long. Are missed appointments such a issue for GPs? If someone doesn't show they move onto the next person. Usually GPs have an issue in that appointments take longer than planned, so there's often waiting on the side of the patient. Most GPs have appointments reserved to be bookable on the day if you call up in the morning. What problem are you proposing a solution for? Your comment about religious zelotry is condescending. Saying that anyone criticising your viewpoint is a blind fanatic.
    - dev_north_east 8y ago

heavenlyblue 8y ago

These are the same people who forget that a single visit to an NHS dentist is about £20 anyway.

tialaramex 8y ago
It isn't if you have the certificate saying you proved you can't afford this sort of thing. Most NHS dentists have the paperwork and posters advertising it if you are somehow unaware those exist. Everything is free if you're both poor AND fill out all the paperwork. There is a debate to be had about whether "make poor people fill out paperwork" is a justifiable approach, but it doesn't have to cost you £20 for the check-up.
- IneffablePigeon 8y ago
  I was going to do this when I was a student and the form was so long and convoluted I decided to just pay. It all seemed just slightly designed to stop you claiming it.
  - wackro 8y ago
    I filled that form out too. It wasn't the quickest, but it wasn't difficult either. Definitely didn't get the impression that it was some kind of barrier.

Jonnax 8y ago

Because when you start charging, the price will only go up. University used to be free in the UK. Then tuition fees at University started at £1000ish a year, went up to about £3000, and is now £9000. All in about 10 years. Also small fees like these affect the poor more than the well off. If I miss an appointment and it costs me £5, I wouldn't miss the money. A quick search apparently shows that a quarter of British households have less than £100 in savings. [0] When that's 5% of their money that's just punishing the poor. [0] https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-4234518/Savings-inequality-rise-gap-grows-25.html https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-4234518/Savings-...

dev_north_east 8y ago
I've literally heard all of this before. I'll say "Well they shouldn't miss the appointment, they can cancel if they can't make it" To which you'll reply something about people and last minute, completely unavoidable things which prevent appointments being made. To which, I'll reply that blah blah and on and on. I've learned there's no point. I don't think fees for that are abnormal (have seen them and their handling of scenarios in operation in other countries to no big alarm) but it's against NHS dogma! Don't get me wrong, I like the NHS but there's seriously zealot-esque thinking towards it from many corners. It's not a case of "totally free" or the USA. But as said, I'm an immigrant and have learned to keep quite on such matters.
- Jonnax 8y ago
  GP appointments are 10 to 15 minutes long. Are missed appointments such a issue for GPs? If someone doesn't show they move onto the next person. Usually GPs have an issue in that appointments take longer than planned, so there's often waiting on the side of the patient. Most GPs have appointments reserved to be bookable on the day if you call up in the morning. What problem are you proposing a solution for? Your comment about religious zelotry is condescending. Saying that anyone criticising your viewpoint is a blind fanatic.
  - dev_north_east 8y ago