Northern angel
15-05-2006, 01:45 AM
Hello survivors,
I have long thought that the NHS appointment programme needed a serious revision. At present I gather that the cost to the health service caused by those who fail to attend appointments is standing at 600 million pounds. This figure is reported as being close to the deficit figure.
Whether this figure is close or not, in some quarters of medical opinion it is evident enough to suggest that some revision is due.
I suppose I should be very wary here, I may be accused of being an uncaring sociologist by some of my colleagues - who will no doubt tell me that any thought of charging would reduce the number of people seeking medical help at the point of need. They might justifiably tell me that certain social groups would suffer from increased medical ailments and would be deterred from seeking medical help. The idea of charging for appointments would be thus thrown out without any thoughts on why they should be introduced in the first place.
Another scheme which may be worth considering is that of more widely available medical insurances and again I am assured that this will be trashed as the bringer of a two tiered medical system for the haves and have nots.
They might also tell me they would not want to see an American system of the best care being offered to those who paid the most for there medical insurances and the worst care being offered under the the guise of charity.
In Britain it is not so much the charity idea, that has us buzzing it is the thought that mobile clinics have appeared to assist those suffering from minor alcohol related injuries. Inaugurated in certain cities to relieve the pressure from overstretched A & E departments. A sad factor of our times.
What a dilemma! This dilemma will be faced by whoever is in government, so maybe we should concern ourselves with it, for at some point in the past. We have had need of the NHS and at some point in the future we will have further need of it, as we age.
This issue, along with care for the elderly is something I have strong thoughts about. So strong, I recently wrote to the leaders of all three political parties to express my views - I am now waiting with interest, what responses I will get.
Meanwhile, I actually advocate charging for appointments for specialised clinics, dental appointments, eye tests, and out patients clinic appointments at hospitals. I advocate that all GP surgeries should abolish the appointment systems they have and work on a first come first served basis. That way there time will not be wasted. However, should a patient require to see someone specifically than a small fee should secure a timed appointment.
I am not shocked at myself for stating my support over the charging for appointments, but I find that on the occassions when I have not been able to get an appointment it could well be due to people who are inconsiderate to cancel appointments they knowingly can't attend. I have also noted the numbers on hospital clinic boards who did not attend appointments in the last month and my GP's electronic message system, will flash the numbers of non attendence for appointments.
I suppose in someways those who are currently abusing the system are a pain in the @rse.
Charging fees does not have to be unreasonable it could be done according to income. These fees should not be at actual cost for the time taken, they are merely a token to secure an appointment, and should you fail to turn up than you've lost your fee. All fees payable in advance.
What do you think?
Maureen
Northern angel.
I have long thought that the NHS appointment programme needed a serious revision. At present I gather that the cost to the health service caused by those who fail to attend appointments is standing at 600 million pounds. This figure is reported as being close to the deficit figure.
Whether this figure is close or not, in some quarters of medical opinion it is evident enough to suggest that some revision is due.
I suppose I should be very wary here, I may be accused of being an uncaring sociologist by some of my colleagues - who will no doubt tell me that any thought of charging would reduce the number of people seeking medical help at the point of need. They might justifiably tell me that certain social groups would suffer from increased medical ailments and would be deterred from seeking medical help. The idea of charging for appointments would be thus thrown out without any thoughts on why they should be introduced in the first place.
Another scheme which may be worth considering is that of more widely available medical insurances and again I am assured that this will be trashed as the bringer of a two tiered medical system for the haves and have nots.
They might also tell me they would not want to see an American system of the best care being offered to those who paid the most for there medical insurances and the worst care being offered under the the guise of charity.
In Britain it is not so much the charity idea, that has us buzzing it is the thought that mobile clinics have appeared to assist those suffering from minor alcohol related injuries. Inaugurated in certain cities to relieve the pressure from overstretched A & E departments. A sad factor of our times.
What a dilemma! This dilemma will be faced by whoever is in government, so maybe we should concern ourselves with it, for at some point in the past. We have had need of the NHS and at some point in the future we will have further need of it, as we age.
This issue, along with care for the elderly is something I have strong thoughts about. So strong, I recently wrote to the leaders of all three political parties to express my views - I am now waiting with interest, what responses I will get.
Meanwhile, I actually advocate charging for appointments for specialised clinics, dental appointments, eye tests, and out patients clinic appointments at hospitals. I advocate that all GP surgeries should abolish the appointment systems they have and work on a first come first served basis. That way there time will not be wasted. However, should a patient require to see someone specifically than a small fee should secure a timed appointment.
I am not shocked at myself for stating my support over the charging for appointments, but I find that on the occassions when I have not been able to get an appointment it could well be due to people who are inconsiderate to cancel appointments they knowingly can't attend. I have also noted the numbers on hospital clinic boards who did not attend appointments in the last month and my GP's electronic message system, will flash the numbers of non attendence for appointments.
I suppose in someways those who are currently abusing the system are a pain in the @rse.
Charging fees does not have to be unreasonable it could be done according to income. These fees should not be at actual cost for the time taken, they are merely a token to secure an appointment, and should you fail to turn up than you've lost your fee. All fees payable in advance.
What do you think?
Maureen
Northern angel.