Would you pay to see your GP?

[upsidedown]

In New Zealand you have to pay on average $30 ( 15 GBP) to see your GP for an appointment, once he has seen you and there is a need to be referred on it's covered by the health service .

Consequence of this , is that you can see a GP on the day you phone up and in my experience at a time that suits you.



Phoned up our GP here for an appointment this morning .............. 5.40 pm next Thursday !!!

 

[One Planer]

I suppose it depends on your circumstance and current health.

Personally, I wouldn't mind paying.

I'm very rarely ill, and even when I am it's not worth a trip to the doctors.

 

[G1BB0]

moved to OB

my surgery has an on the day system but slots go very quick, have to ring at 8am for morning and 1pm for afternoon. works generally pretty well. For appointments at other times then there is usually a delay of a week or so

 

[woody69]

No, I think it's a bad idea as it penalises those less well off and would potentially stop people going to see the doctor. Many times people go to doctors and are told to take paracetamol, or rest as it's nothing and turns out to be something more sinister after multiple visits and different GPs.

If you want that kind of service, then you can go private.

 

[upsidedown]

Think social care card and community cards would take care of that.



Don't you have to see a GP before you go private?

 

[woody69]

Don't you have to see a GP before you go private?

Well I know you can get a private GP appointment with Bupa for example.

 

[drawboy]

I already do! I pay a fortune in National Insurance unlike the lazy sods with 6 kids, full disability, and state handouts left right and center. They won't have to pay to see the doctor for their bad back and dodgy knees that stop them working. This country is getting worse and worse.

 

[stevie_r]

I'll echo drawboy's sentiments in that we already pay for our GP's services. Additionally, there could be people who genuinely needed treatment but simply could not afford it.

What I do not agree with though is his broad brush tarring of anyone on disability benefit

 

[bladeplayer]

Between €50-€60 here now to see the GP .. unless you have a medical card.. or doctor only card ,, kids get sick its not even questioned , we pay it , adults get sick its give it a day or so , see what the pharmasist says , if it not better then last resort is Doc

 

[MegaSteve]

Coming to a surgery near you in England...

Won't happen in Scotland or Wales so the Alex and Leanne can bleat on how well they look after their share of UK citizens...

 

[upsidedown]

Well I know you can get a private GP appointment with Bupa for example.

http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/self-pay-treatments/gp-services
Ah yes so you can but not exactly a great service for what a practice nurse is capable of doing ( not prescriptions though )

In NZ there is no national insurance hence the need to pay for your visit.

Can see benefits for both systems .

 

[Akie]

Absolutely not for my GP but my consultants I have at Spire I certainly would, private healthcare through work is a godsend for me.

 

[chrisd]

Absolutely not for my GP but my consultants I have at Spire I certainly would, private healthcare through work is a godsend for me.

I agree. I have paid bundles of tax and NI to pay for NHS visits but I also have paid for private medical cover beyond that and it's been necessary over the years. Interesting that I don't get a rebate for going private for operations!

 

[Andy]

Self diagnosis all the way. Google is your GP.

 

[Rooter]

Self diagnosis all the way. Google is your GP.

i had aids and cancer according to the internet last time i did that! turned out to be a cold..

 

[PNWokingham]

No - but I think you should be charged £50 - £75 if you make an appointment and miss it - it is these people taking a chunk of the availability that makes it harder for others to get a quick appointment. You miss without cancelling in advance, you should go on a banned list until your fine is paid. End of!

 

[Hobbit]

Yes but only for better access. The choice; the current system at my Doc's where the practice nurse gives you a triage call and decides if you need to speak to the Doc. The Doc rings you and triages you again to see if you need to come in. OR pay the £XX and see a Doc that day.

I'll pay the money for better health.

 

[Yerman]

Yes but only for better access. The choice; the current system at my Doc's where the practice nurse gives you a triage call and decides if you need to speak to the Doc. The Doc rings you and triages you again to see if you need to come in. OR pay the £XX and see a Doc that day.

I'll pay the money for better health.

You cannot buy health, only treatment.

At present the GP is payed and independent, if you have a cold or sore throat, you get told no treatment needed, job done. Now if you were a PAYING customer you'd expect more and the GP would know it, resulting in prescriptions for antibiotics and more innappropriate treatment.

 

[drawboy]

Trouble is if you are called Smith,Jones etc then you are not going to get an appointment. Now if you are called adifoosy or whatever you'll stroll to the front of the surgery queue. I stand by that comment too, My niece is a doctors receptionist

 

[6inchcup]

only those that have been in the country over 10 years and paid into the system or those that were born here to parents who had done the same should get FREE medical care,everyone else should be made to pay or have medical insurance to cover the cost,i would also charge the wrinkles who did a bunk to warmer climes taking their money with them but still having their pensions paid into a spanish bank,but as soon as they need medical treatment the hop onto a cheap flight and clog up our system,its about time this country grew some and just said NO to johnny foreigner.