AIBU to think the NHS is already dead

The NHS in Wales isn’t dead but it’s definitely struggling to survive.

No it’s not dead, it’s overstretched but still brilliant when you need it.

There has got to be some kind of contribution payment for those that can afford it - means testing by any other name, too much is available to too many that can pay.

No it’s not dead it’s still bloody wonderful but they do need some changes not everything should be on the NHS it should deal with illness not everything that anyone wants from tummy tucks to sex changes and I know I m about to get my head bitten off in many places
It should use all its resources to deal with ILLNESS and making people well that’s what’s it’s set up for
I don’t doubt at all that the other things should be dealt with at our own expenses or even at partial costs
Yes totally unreasonable daisyann

I agrée there is a significant lack of NHS Dentists. Free eye tests stopped for all in 1989, but are still free now for a significant number of people. As far as I know, from friends, hearing tests and aids are still free.
From my experience, to date, the vast majority of care is free. Different from when we lived in France a few years ago where we paid for GP visits, prescriptions and an ambulance.
Perhaps it’s time the UK moved to another model, free for those who can’t afford it, fraught with its own issues.
So, today 4th August 2023 I think you ABU.

Baggs

Also, what services have been privatised exactly?

Are you just trying to be annoying? I listed some of them. The government has just announced more. I imagine you could find them just as easily as I can.

The difference is between a "need" decided by a clinician, being free, whatever it is. What we are moving towards are needs being met on an income related basis. Those needs are then limited by the goverment and generally underfunded so that few private companies are prepared to provide them at all or only with a financial top-up.

Now you may be quite happy moving to this. I may feel I will not be affected but many will be.

Baggs

*For instance and as an example, in the future, they could limit it to one knee, and you may be expected to pay for the other one. We're not at that point yet but we are rapidly moving in that direction. Just look at the services that have been privatised.*

Where is this information from, please, DAR?

* Bags* - really? Perhaps re-read it.

Also, what services have been privatised exactly?

For instance and as an example, in the future, they could limit it to one knee, and you may be expected to pay for the other one. We're not at that point yet but we are rapidly moving in that direction. Just look at the services that have been privatised.

Where is this information from, please, DAR?

They have been doing it for a long time henetha and using private facilities can work.

This is not what I was highlighting. That is not the problem.

An increasing number of services are limited by the amount the NHS/government is prepared to pay, or simply limited and not available under the NHS.

For instance and as an example, in the future, they could limit it to one knee, and you may be expected to pay for the other one. We're not at that point yet but we are rapidly moving in that direction. Just look at the services that have been privatised.

Shut your eyes and "free at the point of need" will be gone and those unable yo pay will be rationed, as they already are in some areas.

No, its not, thank goodness, but it's struggling and needs every bit of our support via whoever will listen politically.

*good

Full of problems, yes, but not dead. My GP surgery bar-coded a prescription request to my pharmacist this morning so that it could be done immediately (cos they'd messed up and not sent it a few days ago). All done with goos humour and patience.

As for "already dead". Nah. Nowhere near.

The difference between the NHS and all other systems was the promise of "free at the point of need".

Is this 'difference' actually true any more? Don't most European countries (and others) have systems that are reall not so very different when it comes down to it?

I had my first knee replacement in 2005, in a private hospital. But it cost me nothing. The NHS have been doing this for a long time now. I had a cataract op done earlier this year, again in a private facility, but cost me nothing.
How much does it matter, providing it is still free to the patients? I have mixed feeling about this, and would personally have preferred my ops in NHS hospitals.
But, the treatment was good, and free, so I have no real reason to grumble.
I don't think it necessarily means the death of the NHS.