Is the NHS the only solution?

[Amiethest]

I'm personally mortified that we can't fund life extending drugs because they are so expensive and it's simply not viable.

However I recognise that the NHS only has finite funds and cannot give everyone every treatment. One course of a life extending hepatocellular carcinoma chemotherapy treatment costs what a person contributes in NI over their lifetime, there's simply not enough money.

Private health insurance as a legal requirement to supplement care that the NHS cannot afford has been suggested. I personally think it smacks of another tax on everyone and that if we want these drugs to be paid for then we should be able to opt out of the NI contribution that goes to the NHS and have to pay private. Any costs of emergency care (A&E/out of hours doctors) would then be paid for by the insurance company.

As a guideline, on a wage of £30,000 most people pay 11% in NI. This is around £3300 assuming personal allowance etc. I could get fully comprehensive private healthcare for £800 per year in the US. I understand that this increases with age, but I don't believe that overall I wouldn't be better off with private health insurance.

Discuss!

[Cefca]

Blame the drug companies. It's them that set the stupidly extortionate prices for life saving drugs.

They should do something about them if you ask me.

[ainsleee]

Im not going to be able to back my self up with figures of stats here but when ever I have had to use the NHS, it fails so bad its unbelievable. From my view, I have been to the hospital around 4 times this year, for family and personal injuries, but each time I visit an NHS hospital I am less than convinced.

My mother was messed around by the NHS for over 3 years, in the end she had a cyst the size a small watermelon. My step-father has a shunt in his head, took 7 hours to be have his bloods taken in A&E, where I could see nurses and doctors just standing around chatting about what was on TV last night.

That is why I plan to pay for private health care in the future. I think one of the main problems with the NHS is waiting times, which is not helped by the amount of paperwork nurses have to fill in. Im sure its essential but it slows things down a lot.

I suppose it does its job but after a long wait, but this is not the right solution in a time critical are like health care. I agree that they should let people opt out of NI and pay for private if they wish.

[joewarne]

Doesnt national insurance also go to paying benifits if you are out of work.

Plus we have a much larger public sector than America (in propotionate terms).

The point really is that everyone is entitled to a minimum standard of living, no matter if they are rich or poor, the state will always be there to help them. It doesnt allow people to die on the streets if they have no money, or refuse them healthcare and houseing the same.

[oXoDCoXo]

Originally Posted by Amiethest

One course of a life extending hepatocellular carcinoma chemotherapy treatment

sorry, you lost me at that bit

anyway, yeah waiting times are too long and people shouldnt pay for their own drugs but i cant really see a solution

[moviedrome]

The NHS gets badly slated but I think it really is the best system. I also think it is abused wildly by people with nothing better to do than visit their doctors which means that when I am ill (not very often thankfully) and need to see a doctor I phone for an appointment and I'm told there isn't one for 2 weeks.

Also people who aren't working/can't work are allowed to use the system even though some have never paid NI in their lives, which has to be a good thing. Compulsory private heath insurance would exclude these people as they simply can't afford it.

NI also pays for any benefits you may need to claim in future, your old age pension and what's left has to fund the NHS.

It's all relative as well, whilst you say this one course of drugs costs more than the average person's lifetime contributions most people won't need these drugs. It's not done on a 'right, you've paid in £x thousand pounds so ah um i'm sorry sir we can't afford to treat you right now' basis, it is averaged out.

As it is at the moment if you don't like the NHS system you can take out private heathcare. You still have to pay your NI because it covers your benefits, pension and other people's treatment.

I experienced bad NHS service a few years ago when I was attacked by a dog. I was bleeding all over the waiting room but still had to wait 3 hours to be seen. My home applied bandage soaked through and was dripping on the floor and it's only when I went to the receptionist and bled on her desk she got someone to see me lol

[tronsmith]

Although paying insurance as opposed to having a health service may be cheaper, there's always a chance that the company may not pay out, it is insurance afterall.

As I have mentioned in another thread, my Dad is ill, all his treatment has been on the NHS and he has been given the best treatment imaginable every step of the way by the best medical practionioners in their feild in the country. Also, thank god we don't have to pay for the medication!!!