FabSwingers.com forum: If you knew how much it cost

By *alcon43 OP Woman
over a year ago

Paisley

Do you think people would think twice about missing appointments, wasting prescriptions, going to A&E instead of the GP, etc ?

How many times do you miss concerts, films, etc that you've bought tickets for?

The NHS isn't perfect but we all have a duty to help stop the rising costs.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I definitly think that if we were more aware of what an appointment costs the NHS we would be more inclined to only use one when necessary and not miss it. Ofcourse, people sometimes genuinely just forget they had an appointment booked, but if we were aware of costs we might be more mindful?

I think there'd be less funding wasted on teenagers who can't handle their drink, and kids who's mam's have dragged them to the GP for a common cold, if people properly understood. Some people have no concept whatsoever and are under the illusion that the NHS is a bottomless pit of money!!

As you've said, we are all responsible for the future of the NHS and the allocation of funds to a certain degree.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *rcticFoxxxWoman
over a year ago

Hereabouts

probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *lshere77Man
over a year ago

Wigan

You generally don't go to the doctors

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In my experience generally those that abuse the nhs have absolutely no concept of the cost nor do they care. Genuine decent folk use the nhs and in particular A&E when they genuinely don't realise they have other options, those that abuse it see it as an easy option and don't care how much it costs even when told, there are repeat offenders that continue to abuse it and the welfare state has made it worse. I know it's a touchy subject but privatisation would improve healthcare as a whole because as it stands it's not free anyway!, we all pay national insurance etc. parts should remain free as in emergency life saving procedures etc but those using A&E as an out of hours gp should be charged. I'm pretty sure many will disagree but until you've worked in the NHS and realise how broken it is and how it's abused you'll never know. As a foot note I don't do politics and can't see how there's a profit in any of it

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?"

It's generally a wasted slot. Unless they have overbooked, which I know some hospitals and departments do to manage the expected no shows and last minute cancellations.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?"

At our docs if you need a non urgent appointment they will book you one within a couple of days of you ringing. If you require an emergency appointment you have to ring that morning at 8.30 for 'triage' and once you have explained why you need to see a doc the same day they will ring you back with a time slot. Appointments that are cancelled the same day are given to those people who are urgent.

I also assume that if you cancel an appointment on the same day and they haven't managed to fill it the doc will allocate that spare time to admin like prescriptions or something? Instead of sitting twiddling his thumbs waiting for a patient that doesn't turn up.

As someone else said above, the only people who abuse the system are the ones who have no concept of the cost at all. We know a few people who live off benefits, have never worked and dont plan to (through choice, not disability)and they are the ones claiming everything else they can possibly squeeze from the system including Calpol on prescription (FFS it's only approx £3 in chemists) because they have NO concept of money, and no realisation that if they dont pay into the system, they shouldnt be allowed to use it!

People should be fined for wasting time and resources in A&E for things like binge drinking.

Rant Over!! Juicy x

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

our doctors put up each month a notice of missed appointments - surgery and hospital appts - then they break it down into how many working hours etc -once it was 6 working days worth -

they always say to ring up as people do cancel sometimes and times become available

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *riskynriskyCouple
over a year ago

Essex.

I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?

People should be fined for wasting time and resources in A&E for things like binge drinking.

Rant Over!! Juicy x"

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

What about the health tourists... From the eu... Come here and keep having kids and not been to doctors for years in their own countries for years... Should we charge them...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *umpkinMan
over a year ago

near the sounds of the wimborne quarter jack!

They`re not perfect themselves! Friend of mine needs at least two separate operations but is latex intolerant in a big way. One operation was cancelled the day before because the appropriate consultant needed because of the latex intolerance hadn`t been arranged. Operation then cancelled again ON THE DAY because the op was being done out of sequence with others!

So there`s two operation slots that could have been allocated to someone else as well as the distress caused to my friend!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

People should be fined for missing appointments without a genuine reason, it happens in the forces, you miss an appointment you get charged.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What about the health tourists... From the eu... Come here and keep having kids and not been to doctors for years in their own countries for years... Should we charge them... "

They are charged for follow up treatment. Initial A&E treatment is free (as it should be in a civilised developed country) and subsequent treatment is charged for, unless their claiming asylum and well they get more than most Brits

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *radleyandRavenCouple
over a year ago

Herts

"People should be fined for missing appointments without a genuine reason, it happens in the forces, you miss an appointment you get charged. "

I agree. Miss a G.P appointment, get fined £10.

Miss a hospital appointment, get fined £20.

People would soon think twice and it would help top up NHS funds a little. x

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *radleyandRavenCouple
over a year ago

Herts

"I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

See, ny only issue with this idea is that my son has multiple medical and health issues and requires frequent visits to the doctors and hospital.

With all the spontaneous and emergency visits, I don't think any amount of funds could "cover" him.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *inkxRabbitWoman
over a year ago

Mostly in GU24

A clinic appointment at hospital costs your GP practice around £125. That's £125 whether you turn up or not. It's far better to cancel your appointment if you can't make it. I've seen people fail to attend three plus appointments in a row at a cost of £500.

Can you imagine the outcry if they were billed or indeed how good they would be o2f the money came out if their own pockets?

One attendance at a and e costs upwards of £275. That's why they want you to chat to your chemist before attending a and e for that bump you had a fortnight ago.

I think there is no awareness of the actual cost. If surgeries were to display the financial cost of missed appointments many people would think twice.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

Hmmm, let the diseased and infected roam around spreading disease.

What about the pensioner who has never paid into the system and now has diabetes, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's?

Or someone like me who has paid in for over 30 years but until recently may have used up my allocation as I had to take up costly hospital bed spaces to get me better?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Do you know how much time and money my last dentist wasted. I bet you it was a hell of a lot more than has been wasted because of me. 3 appointments in a row cancelled with out informing me because I was missed off the phone calls or they said they didn't have the right number. They did when we checked it. That's 1.5 days of work I have missed plus fuel. This is a regular occurrence. Out of the 4 people in our house we must of had well over 20 appointments cancelled and not been told till we turn up at the practice.

One more thing they always have signs up in the doctors when ive been, saying there was x amount of hours wasted last month because of missed appointments. If there is all these missed appointments then how are the doctors always running atleast 30 mins late. Surely he should be on time if people haven't turned up for there time.

So its not just the patients that need to sort this mess out

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he Queen of TartsWoman
Forum Mod
over a year ago

My Own Little World

My dentist charges the cost of a check-up if you miss your appointment, and they say they may charge if you cancel with less than 24 hrs notice. I have had to postpone on the same day and have luckily not been charged.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My dentist charges the cost of a check-up if you miss your appointment, and they say they may charge if you cancel with less than 24 hrs notice. I have had to postpone on the same day and have luckily not been charged."

I should start charging my dentist when he cancels an appointment and doesn't give me 24 hours notice then.

I'd Be having steak for tea every day!!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *riskynriskyCouple
over a year ago

Essex.

"I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

Hmmm, let the diseased and infected roam around spreading disease.

What about the pensioner who has never paid into the system and now has diabetes, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's?

Or someone like me who has paid in for over 30 years but until recently may have used up my allocation as I had to take up costly hospital bed spaces to get me better?

I didn't say my idea was fair or even well thought out...

However my point is people like yourself and the person above with the child who has multiple medical needs would do everything possible to make an appointment.

The people that aren't bothered would soon change their attitude if they were told you have no more money left in their medical pot...

You could buy credits by selling a kidney etc to the NHS...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *radleyandRavenCouple
over a year ago

Herts

"I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

Hmmm, let the diseased and infected roam around spreading disease.

What about the pensioner who has never paid into the system and now has diabetes, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's?

Or someone like me who has paid in for over 30 years but until recently may have used up my allocation as I had to take up costly hospital bed spaces to get me better?

I didn't say my idea was fair or even well thought out...

However my point is people like yourself and the person above with the child who has multiple medical needs would do everything possible to make an appointment.

The people that aren't bothered would soon change their attitude if they were told you have no more money left in their medical pot...

You could buy credits by selling a kidney etc to the NHS..."

So you mean being charged for missed appointments rather than a set budget per person for yearly health care?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do you think people would think twice about missing appointments, wasting prescriptions, going to A&E instead of the GP, etc ?

How many times do you miss concerts, films, etc that you've bought tickets for?

The NHS isn't perfect but we all have a duty to help stop the rising costs.

This is exactly why I'd advocate paying for our healthcare.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

On Island it costs us 30 pounds to see a GP, and recently children £15 with under 5's free. Prescriptions are free. but even then it pushes more people to a&e for advice and treatment as cannot afford gp costs. There should be a mix of charges and part cost met by the state, or charges for missed appointments.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *riskynriskyCouple
over a year ago

Essex.

"I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

Hmmm, let the diseased and infected roam around spreading disease.

What about the pensioner who has never paid into the system and now has diabetes, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's?

Or someone like me who has paid in for over 30 years but until recently may have used up my allocation as I had to take up costly hospital bed spaces to get me better?

I didn't say my idea was fair or even well thought out...

However my point is people like yourself and the person above with the child who has multiple medical needs would do everything possible to make an appointment.

The people that aren't bothered would soon change their attitude if they were told you have no more money left in their medical pot...

You could buy credits by selling a kidney etc to the NHS...

So you mean being charged for missed appointments rather than a set budget per person for yearly health care?"

No an annual budget based on what you are worth to society... Obviously as members of the elite class our budget would be higher...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *bony in IvoryCouple
over a year ago

Black&White Utopia

Where we are we get a txt reminder for Dr's and Hosp appts a cpl days before with an option to cancell if no longer needed... Dentist calls the day before to confirm ... Seems to work

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?"

Means we get a 10 min break. X

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If you saw the states some people get into then hurt themselves because they cannot even stand. It wastes a and e times and makes hours of waiting for people who have genuinely had an accident or emergency. Why work your nellys off to line the pub landlords pockets.

People are quick to complain about not being able to get a docs appointment same as people calling out gps for home visits which reduces there surgery times.when they are capable of coming into the surgery. Some people need a wake up. Prob wouldnt last an hour working a and e

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Where we are we get a txt reminder for Dr's and Hosp appts a cpl days before with an option to cancell if no longer needed... Dentist calls the day before to confirm ... Seems to work

Same here. Text reminders and option to cancel. Seems like a good idea since having waited for three weeks to see a GP.the problem has probably resolved itself.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

I find it all very one sided.

I don't feel guilty at all. I'm not easily persuaded.

The N.H.S is badly managed and funding is poorly allocated. A lot is wasted.

I arrive on time for my appointments at the docs and the hospital. Im never in to the doctor without having waited a near age.

They waste my time a lot. I work also.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

Hmmm, let the diseased and infected roam around spreading disease.

What about the pensioner who has never paid into the system and now has diabetes, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's?

Or someone like me who has paid in for over 30 years but until recently may have used up my allocation as I had to take up costly hospital bed spaces to get me better?

I didn't say my idea was fair or even well thought out...

However my point is people like yourself and the person above with the child who has multiple medical needs would do everything possible to make an appointment.

The people that aren't bothered would soon change their attitude if they were told you have no more money left in their medical pot...

You could buy credits by selling a kidney etc to the NHS..."

Nothing Draconian about your ideas!

Selling a kidney?? Wtf?? To pay for a GP's appointment?

Who do you vote for? Ukip or Tories?

Personally I think there are greater wastes in the NHS than missed appointments (surgeries invariably run over time, in my experience): I read recently about an agency nurse being paid £1400 for a twelve hour shift. Whose kidney pays for that????

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

Hmmm, let the diseased and infected roam around spreading disease.

What about the pensioner who has never paid into the system and now has diabetes, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's?

Or someone like me who has paid in for over 30 years but until recently may have used up my allocation as I had to take up costly hospital bed spaces to get me better?

I didn't say my idea was fair or even well thought out...

However my point is people like yourself and the person above with the child who has multiple medical needs would do everything possible to make an appointment.

The people that aren't bothered would soon change their attitude if they were told you have no more money left in their medical pot...

You could buy credits by selling a kidney etc to the NHS...

Nothing Draconian about your ideas!

Selling a kidney?? Wtf?? To pay for a GP's appointment?

Who do you vote for? Ukip or Tories?

Out on interest, what do you sell when you need dialysis caused from selling your kidneys??

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *at69driveMan
over a year ago

Hertford

"Do you think people would think twice about missing appointments, wasting prescriptions, going to A&E instead of the GP, etc ?

How many times do you miss concerts, films, etc that you've bought tickets for?

The NHS isn't perfect but we all have a duty to help stop the rising costs.

"
. A very good post and a topic which I think about regularly . There should be a charge to book a Doctors appointment . If people can afford a subscription to Sky TV or buy lots of junk food they can afford to pay for a visit to the Doctors . I am sure that lots of appointments are unnecessary anyway and the problems could just as easily be resolved by a nurse. There would of course be exceptions to the charging rule for those who had long term sickness.It should be a requirement that you paid for your appointment in advance before visiting the surgery ..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *urvymamaWoman
over a year ago

Doncaster

My GP is shocking last year i kept going as i was really ill kept getting told be them it was severe flu to keep up my fluids and taking my inhalers. On trying to.book.my 4th appointment i was told i wasnt a priority as i was still experiencing the same symtoms so i soldiered on.for 8 weeks like this till i eventually passed out in public and got took to a&e id got a serious case pnuemonia and bronchitis and the doctors kept missing it!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"Where we are we get a txt reminder for Dr's and Hosp appts a cpl days before with an option to cancell if no longer needed... Dentist calls the day before to confirm ... Seems to work

Same here. Text reminders and option to cancel. Seems like a good idea since having waited for three weeks to see a GP.the problem has probably resolved itself."

...... or the patient is dead.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *at69driveMan
over a year ago

Hertford

"A clinic appointment at hospital costs your GP practice around £125. That's £125 whether you turn up or not. It's far better to cancel your appointment if you can't make it. I've seen people fail to attend three plus appointments in a row at a cost of £500.

Can you imagine the outcry if they were billed or indeed how good they would be o2f the money came out if their own pockets?

One attendance at a and e costs upwards of £275. That's why they want you to chat to your chemist before attending a and e for that bump you had a fortnight ago.

I think there is no awareness of the actual cost. If surgeries were to display the financial cost of missed appointments many people would think twice.

There's another problem too. Many specialist clinics are extremely over subscribed and patients often have to wait months to be seen. These patients may be in a great deal of pain, of work or confined to bed. Now,they could use your appointment to see an urgent patient I you cancel it in advance. "
. We should make people pay a percentage of the charge before they are allowed to book the appointment . Some of us are already paying twice for the health service . My employer pays for BUPA membership and then I am also taxed on it as a benefit in kind .

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's not only Drs and hospitals that appointments are missed ....i had a snotty letter from my dentist because I missed my appointment. ... This appointment was made by them, even though I told them I was away that week..... It's also my dentists policy to drop a reminder text the day before, which I never got, cos I never made the appointment... Madness....

Also I had an appointment with a social worker 20 miles away, I'm travelling on public transport so obviously have to leave extra early to get there on time ... I'm literally there , 20 mins before the appointment and they phone to cancel, now even if id have driven, I would have left as it only takes 30 mins....so id wasted my whole morning and £15 on train fares.....do they get fined??? No. Grrr

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *riskynriskyCouple
over a year ago

Essex.

"I think each person should be allocated a set amount of money to spend with the NHS.

If you work or are a pensioner you get more. If you don't work (unless medical grounds) you get less. If you go to prison, as a burdon on society it is reduced...

People would soon stop wasting the money ifthey knew that later that year they wwouldn't get treated...

Lights touch paper and retreats...

Hmmm, let the diseased and infected roam around spreading disease.

What about the pensioner who has never paid into the system and now has diabetes, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's?

Or someone like me who has paid in for over 30 years but until recently may have used up my allocation as I had to take up costly hospital bed spaces to get me better?

I didn't say my idea was fair or even well thought out...

However my point is people like yourself and the person above with the child who has multiple medical needs would do everything possible to make an appointment.

The people that aren't bothered would soon change their attitude if they were told you have no more money left in their medical pot...

You could buy credits by selling a kidney etc to the NHS...

Nothing Draconian about your ideas!

Selling a kidney?? Wtf?? To pay for a GP's appointment?

Who do you vote for? Ukip or Tories?

Out on interest, what do you sell when you need dialysis caused from selling your kidneys??"

I really hope that you realised my tongue was firmly in my cheek when this was written...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ythenshawefredMan
over a year ago

stockport

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?"

If doctors are anything like dentists (which I have been a receptionist for) I'd think 99% of same day cancellations get filled with people ringing up for an urgent appointment assuming there is enough time

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ot monkey71Couple
over a year ago

middlesbrough

You will find more money is lost through miss management of funds and managerial fraud. The usual story of the big bosses filtering away money while jobs are been lost on the frontline.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?"
A genuine ill person will benefit from your missed appointment....try booking when your generally ill and getting in before the new breed...Romanians etc that have put nothing into the system whilst taking maximum out

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What about the health tourists... From the eu... Come here and keep having kids and not been to doctors for years in their own countries for years... Should we charge them... "

YES at least DOUBLE

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *urvymamaWoman
over a year ago

Doncaster

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?

I did some temp.relief at a drs surgery years ago trust me as you put the phone down on a person thats rung the cancel the appointments usually taken again within the next ring of the phone!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?A genuine ill person will benefit from your missed appointment....try booking when your generally ill and getting in before the new breed...Romanians etc that have put nothing into the system whilst taking maximum out "

Romanians are a new breed? Who knew!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"probably a silly question.. but what happens when you cancel an appointment on the same day?"

More often than not, it's difficult to call patients to offer very short notice appointments - this costs money and time trying to find the elusive patient willing to accept the appointment - I am of course talking about a bog standard out patient clinic consultation......the appointments where a test is involved costs far more re preparation +/- staffing and cannot be filled by another patient. The only thing cancelling your appointment on same day affects, is the "time clock" for your guaranteed date....

It would also help if patients considered calling the hospital they have been referred to, to inform change of address too.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread