Payment for prescriptions

So remind me, why we should pay again. We’ve already paid for this through the tax system since leaving school. If not and are a NHS visitor or not lived here your entire life, then at present they pay. I feel visitors should pay for schooling too. I do wonder how often this payment is chased.

I meant "IT" could well cost more....!

I could well cost more to administer (staff, offices, systems, etc.) than it would save in the long run. Ditto the winter fuel payment.

I totally agree with baggytrazzers there have been times when I would have struggled to pay this and the extra bus fare/petrol for people to visit
Do we have any figures that show how much money would be saved, and including how much the administration would cost including the means testing, collecting money, etc? And would it be decided and paid for before the person went into hospital, during their stay, or the bill sent after they were discharged? Then passed to debt collectors if unpaid? If people don't pay are they not allowed to be admitted to hospital again until they do? It doesn't really sound feasible to me. Back to the old days when folk died because they couldn't afford to ask for medical support.

Do we have full details of how the German system works?

I don't agree that people over 60 should pay for NHS prescriptions -these should be free to everyone in the UK

NoddingGanGan

I object to paying for prescriptions at my age when everyone in Scotland gets them free.

You can always vote in a government that wants to spend its money on the things you want then. That's what we've done in Scotland.

Or would you rather make everybody's life worse because you don't have something that they do?

I'm sure that if I paid a tenner for an overnight stay I would be expecting decent food, my son has frequent admissions and never eats anything, I take it all in for him.

Doodledog

*If you have a State pension and in Hospital for more that 4 weeks you are supposed to declare it, as you not "entitled" to it. How many do that?*
I don't have a state pension yet, but I didn't know you were supposed to declare it if you are in hospital. Probably a lot of people are also unaware of that. I suppose there is a certain logic in that the State is 'keeping you' when you are in hospital; but how do people pay the rent or other commitments if their income is stopped - outgoings are not restricted to food and/or other things that would be covered in a hospital stay.

And if there's a partner still at home, all the bills don't magically halve just because one of the pair is in hospital.

I object to paying for prescriptions at my age when everyone in Scotland gets them free.

I have stayed several times in hospitals and clinics here in France, unfortunately not the posh ones, and the food seems to get worse every time, bland and warm. There were a couple of choices for the starter, main and dessert, all at the same price to be chosen a day in advance.
I was charged for the three meals a day even though I didn’t eat it or not present at the time because I was in theatre.

Get well soon Whitewave.
Whiff

Glad you are getting help whiff.

wwm2, hope you feel better soon. Covid seems to knock people's resistance.

I am getting help from the Brain Charity . Thank you wellbeck.

dear Whiff, it is so hard to navigate the DWP successfully.
did you have any help in applying or appealing.
if poss, it's best to get help from those who are used filling in those forms, eg age concern, CAB, disability rights groups.
i hope you get a good outcome eventually.

If I had to pay for prescriptions,GP and hospital visits I haven't the money to do that. What with energy prices going up again in October and the price in basic food stuffs how am I supposed to live.

I don't drink,smoke ,drive and my last holiday was 2005. I don't get my state pension for 2 years. Unfortunately my husband died 18 years ago. I haven't been able to work due illness until April this year I didn't have a diagnosis. I was born with it. Because I hadn't a name for what's wrong with me never been able to claim any benefits. Money my husband left is long gone and the money my mom left me will last until I get my state pension. Even though I have a name for what's wrong with me I have been refused any benefits but have appealed .

The last 34 years I was told not name no money now I have a name still no money. My husband paid lot of NI for 30 years before he died I will get 43p a week from his contributions.

All well and good saying we should pay for health care. But there are tens of thousands in my position. Are we going to be denied help because of we can't pay.

Oh sorry. I’m currently in bed with flu having just recovered from covid. Day 4 but brain still addled

No, you wouldn't be bankrupt Matydoll. You could get an annual "season ticket" and one of your conditions might make you exempt anyway.

However, I belong to diabetes and cancer online groups. There are many American posters. It's really worrying that some of them don't have the tests or have the medications which would be routine in the UK because their insurance won't pay and they can't afford them.

maddyone

Whitewave this is not a leak, it’s an article written by Stephen Smith, who used to be the chairman of an NHS trust. It’s merely his idea of possible things to do. It is not government policy. So no, people are not going to die for lack of medicines because nothing is going to change. This is what I feared would happen, posters will misunderstand and panic.

Sorry - I did point out that I was talking about general leaks. Twice .

It does get mooted every so often. Either to distract people from other things, or to soften us up for if/when it does happen. There is often a lot of support on here for those that the supporters think 'don't need' to get free prescriptions.

I think we are probably safe for a while, but if the Tories win the next GE, all bets are off.

I am lucky enough to need no prescription drugs, but how would people who do cope?

kittylester

That isn't completely true, Wwm2. That is for people who are judged to have healthy enough monuths but others will have them more often.

I am not supporting the Government's handling of NHS dentistry but what you said is untrue.

That's how I read it too. I have an NHS dentist and have had six monthly check ups, but haven't had any dental work for five years. I had to go to the check ups because the dentist could have kicked me off his list. I was told earlier in the year that I'll only be having yearly check ups, but to contact them if I had any problems, which seems to make sense to me. It releases more time for those who really need treatment.

Whitewavemark2

Teacheranne

Whitewavemark2

Do you have to pay for each drug or per prescription?

Since DH retired he has suffered heart problems and has about 6 (I think) pills a day.

That would be a huge cost for the poorer pensioner. If it is per prescription.

And if people are forced to make a choice, that must make it well nigh impossible for the doctor, and cost far more in the long run I would have thought.

You pay per item on the prescription so four types of medications is four prescription charges.

Bloody hell. So in my DHs case it’s 6 lots plus a spray when it runs out of date.

Ask any doctor, people are going to die.

As of this morning, I am taking twenty five different meds, all on prescription. Twenty two are repeats.
One is a hospital prescription, costing £1000 every four weeks.
In the last month I have had a visit to A&E, a surgical procedure yesterday, three telephone consultations with a GP, two face to face consultations with a GP and two telephone consultations with a rheumatology specialist nurse, oh and umpteen blood tests.

Thank goodness, I live in Scotland or I would be bankrupt! .

That isn't completely true, Wwm2. That is for people who are judged to have healthy enough monuths but others will have them more often.

I am not supporting the Government's handling of NHS dentistry but what you said is untrue.

Oh I have just read that dental checkups will now be only once every 2 years for those fortunate enough to have an nhs dentist.

Step by step

Oh thanks - there I was panicking

Whitewave this is not a leak, it’s an article written by Stephen Smith, who used to be the chairman of an NHS trust. It’s merely his idea of possible things to do. It is not government policy. So no, people are not going to die for lack of medicines because nothing is going to change. This is what I feared would happen, posters will misunderstand and panic.