It's Only Fair, Isn't It?

[allenlondon]

Mrs A (70s, congestive heart failure, weak) has developed lumps in her side and abdomen.

Ok, says GP, we'll send you for an ultrasound scan. We get letter from local (private) clinic. She phones up, they say "Oh, next appointment is November 13th."

Next day she phones again and says she's a private self-funding patient, and asks when the next appointment is. "Tomorrow." Which is only fair, isn't it? People who've worked hard for their money should be able to get proper service.

My Jim Royle.

(And yes, before the intellectual skinheads roar their disapproval, we're going private. We don't spend it on booze/meat/gambling/holidays/cars/etc, so we'll buy her some time instead).

A

[andy-hughes]

I'm not sure what point you are making, and what response you are hoping to receive?

[teacake44]

Who's complaining? not me. Anyhow whats the question, or is this just a statement of sorts?

[Mamyalynne]

It doesn't seem at all fair Allen and I too would expect unexplained lumps to be investigated with rather more speed than they have.

My Daughter presented with upper abdo pain last week and is having a scan today.

[allenlondon]

Well, I suppose that any fair-minded person would see the absolute inequity of a system that relegates a hard-working tax-paying citizen with potential life-threatening conditions to wait in a long queue while anyone with a full wallet can get treated immediately.

Succinct enough for you?

[naomi24]

Good for you. Think of the money you're saving the NHS. All the more for those who can't afford to do what you're doing.

(What is an intellectual skinhead - and who are they?).

[bednobs]

isn't it just the way the word works? If you have money you can buy better education, bette rhealthcare, better food, better passtimes, better legal representation, better service?

[Mamyalynne]

I hope they discover they are benign cysts or similar and your minds are soon put at ease.

[anneasquith]

I hope mrs a gets good results from her scan tomorrow . Maybe you should just have ignored this post Andy?

[bednobs]

i also forgot to add my good wishes to her for tomorrow

[andy-hughes]

allenlondon - // Well, I suppose that any fair-minded person would see the absolute inequity of a system that relegates a hard-working tax-paying citizen with potential life-threatening conditions to wait in a long queue while anyone with a full wallet can get treated immediately.

Succinct enough for you? //

As succinct as it is obvious.

My son in law had a rapidly expanding hernia. The NHS gave him an average waiting time of two years - obviously sooner if it strangulated first.

He has the financial resources to pay a four figure sum and have it operated on less than two weeks after diagnosis.

That is as obvious as night following day - which is why I didn't post about on here, and then pre-empt anyone disapproving of his action.

As I said, I don;t know what point you are making, or what reaction you hope to get?

Do you want a pat on the back for not burdening the NHS because you are in the fortunate position of being able not to because you have not spent your money elsewhere?

OK fine - well done you.

Happy now?

[BAKERS DOZEN]

My daughter is still waiting for her emergency endoscopy from May. She refuses to let us pay anything out to help her and says she will just wait. Your money and you do what you like with it and it is no-one else's business to disapprove. Best wishes to you and Mrs A.

[andy-hughes]

anne - // I hope mrs a gets good results from her scan tomorrow . Maybe you should just have ignored this post Andy? //

I hope so too - but as my post before this one advises, there is really nothing anyone can say anyway.

[teacake44]

16.42 That's the way money as always worked, and it always will, but I would think that the present situation has seen a big rise in people going private, regardless that Matt Hancock insists that the NHS is open has normal to all that need it, or is it. Anyhow all the best Mrs A

[woofgang]

Allen, you earned the money, its up to you how you spend it. I really don’t see your point except you are cross. Banning private medicine won’t put any more resource into the NHS.

[naomi24]

Woofgang, //Banning private medicine won’t put any more resource into the NHS.//

Quite right. People who complain about private medicine tend to forget that those who pay for their care privately also pay National Insurance contributions - and take little of it back. It could also be argued, quite justifiably, that private care shortens NHS waiting lists.

[Mozz71]

If you can afford to go private, knock yourself out. Good luck to ya.

[woofgang]

Omg I agree with Naomi, as well as what you have already mentioned, if its health insurance and not just pay as you go, we pay insurance premium tax too

[marval]

I hope all goes well for Mrs A, glad you were able to get things done quicker.

[Mozz71]

Is it me or is the only real purpose of this thread Allen finding someone to disagree with him so to instigate an argument? Short of that, it's fairly pontless.