Charging To See A GP Would Be A “Better Way To Reduce The Demand"

Former NHS chair Martin Gower suggests that charging to see a GP would be a “better way to reduce the demand” than Labour’s pledge to train more doctors.
Labour has pledged to end the 8am scramble for GP appointments by training more doctors and updating the NHS app so slots are easy to book and rearrange.
Under the party’s plans, family doctors, physiotherapists, mental health specialists, dentists, district nurses, care workers and health visitors would be brought under one roof as part of a trial of Neighbourhood Health Centres.
Martin says: “At least a third of the people in that waiting room don’t need to see a GP.”
#nhs #labour #iancollins #talk
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[@codswallop164]

Meanwhile who have hotels full of freeloaders who get visits from mobile GPs and dentist.

[@celtictarotreadings333]

Evidence

[@mariewalmsley6143]

That's called going private then.

[@unravel3416]

Hmm 🤔 I do wonder how many times the public will have to pay for one service. And the 8am scramble is just a health lottery. It's truly awful in 2024.

[@ML-xh1go]

Doctors should be paid for the people they see NOT for how many they have on their books,

[@MrMbdies]

At 3:57, I once knew a family GP practice before I moved, it was very busy and lots of patients, they did call outs for the elderly too. The "terrible" stress wasn't the patients, it was the new rules imposed on them in 2017 by the government, trying to swap their prescription with weak over the content things, fear of being fined for issuing banned prescriptions (to save costs), 10 minute rule & one issue a time, all that he ignored because it would lead to patient dissatisfaction and a visit from the CQC if they complain.

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

oh believe you me, if we were paid a flat rate for every patient, the GP practices would be so much richer ( and the government bankrupt) Currently we are paid less than 100£ for every patient on the books per year, and many patients cost much more than that in medical treatment each year. So actually what you suggested would be disastrous for the government. Your national insurance contribution would shoot up, you'd have less money but GP's would be significantly richer for doing the same amount of work. Terrible idea.

[@darrens6558]

So why is it before COVID-19 doctors were open now its a phone appointment, and to charge someone to pay to see a doctor is a disgrace those on benefits won't have to pay they will get it for free which is wrong penalise the working people again it's a joke

[@johnnyhock]

People don’t have enough disposable income now to pay their tripled gas bill, or doubled food bills etc… where are they supposed to find a spare £60 to pay for a dr appt ? What have they just paid £200 N.I. Deduction for out of this month’s pay ? So they can pay twice ?

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

I IMAGINE they could take it out of their weekly alcohol and cigarette money. If its a priority, people will always pay

[@Moon133.]

I already pay for a private dentist whilst others get it nhs. Why should we pay for a gp too. Stop giving services to people for free who’ve never paid in.

[@stephenbeevers2565]

Yes charging would probably lessen demand but people will still be ill, they will just go to A & E. How about fixing everything that is wrong with ALL services in the UK? We have been charged for years for diminishing services with yearly increases. This country is on its knees and yet people keep asking for more money. People are short of money have you not seen any news for the last 10yrs. People will soon take to the streets in search of better services and better politicians.

[@donnaharris8097]

As long as these two are accountable to the deaths that would happen for those already juggling bills and couldnt afford a doctors bills - typical tories , theyve always wanted to privatise the Nhs . It would be interesting to see the income these two are on , then lets talk about charging for gps .

[@archiemcberry7102]

Sounds like a plan about as likely as the Rwanda Plan.

[@timbrown1897]

charge but exempt benefit recipient and foreign and aged and young and women so charge the five remaining

[@celtictarotreadings333]

They’re talking about pharmacies but you require a prescription for most things.

[@hanusiaschostak5100]

Don’t forget to give US OUR MONEY BACK then !! It’s NOT free it’s only free at the point of delivery!!!!!

[@DavidGetling]

Lots of us have said this for years. There are a vast number of time wasters, looking for an excuse to cheat their bosses, and nut jobs who need a shrink, rather than a GP. Charging at least £10 per appointment would really help the NHS. Another excellent idea that they have in New Zealand is that you pay over £50 for an ambulance call out: even if you really need it.

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

The ambulance idea I can definately roll with The problem with charging patients to see the GP is that patients will always pay it, people will always find money to do things they consider a priority. It wouldn't relieve the pressure on GPs at all in the long run. You'll still get the nut jobs and time wasters who'll pay from their universal credit

[@celtictarotreadings333]

We already pay through taxes. I’ve got a better idea how about the government give up their second houses and ridiculous expenses.

[@jujutrini8412]

Who are these people who love waiting in waiting rooms with loads of sick people coughing and spluttering for no apparent reason? I don’t like going to the GP when I am sick let alone when I am healthy! I prefer a telephone appointment and only face to face when absolutely necessary.

[@aaronmarygreenwood2868]

"Man is the Measure of All Things"... here's an idea... Why don't we invest in Man? Then he might know how not to block vital services. Let him pay! Let him pay! Let him pay! Great thinking! Yin and Yang... that sort of thing.

[@kellyannpage1469]

I wld be happy to pay a small fee to see the doctor

[@celtictarotreadings333]

Bully for you the rest of us wouldn’t be

[@silvermoonuk]

So lets charge the patients then. How stupid.

[@celtictarotreadings333]

Exactly it’s all our fault our fault for being ill our fault not knowing it wasn’t necessary to go to the doctor. Our fault for everything

[@Georgeorwell2024]

YOU WOULD GET THE POOREST OF SOCIETY DYING DUE TO POVERTY IN BRITAIN!

[@barrykirkby9626]

Charging To See A GP Would Be A “Better Way To Reduce The Demand", if this happens I would expect my NI to be cut in half or more as at the moment I'm paying mostly for a bunch of people that have floated over and got it free without paying in a penny.... and as for this guy saying the gp is not paid by the nhs - bullcrap.