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+--- Thread: £20 to see a doctor! Is this "Social Justice" as described in the SMF "about us" page? (/thread-6941.html)
£20 to see a doctor! Is this "Social Justice" as described in the SMF "about us" page? - Hypo - Lonesome - 10-12-2012 08:27 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8156279.stm
"Patients should be charged £20 to see a GP in a bid to limit demands placed on the health service, a centre-right think-tank says.
The Social Market Foundation said forcing people to pay a fee for an appointment could help the NHS cope in the tight financial times ahead.
The group said it would not breach the values of the NHS as charges already applied to dentistry and prescriptions
But both the government and doctors said they were against such a move. "
http://www.smf.co.uk/about.html
"The Social Market Foundation is a leading UK think tank, developing innovative ideas across a broad range of economic and social policy. It champions policy ideas which marry markets with social justice and takes a pro-market rather than free-market approach. Our work is characterised by the belief that governments have an important role to play in correcting market failures and setting the framework within which markets can operate in a way that benefits individuals and society as a whole."
I know that a £20 fee would cripple me. I have to see my gp regularly, as he won't put some medication on a repeat prescription. Is there any sense in a £20 fee? Is this a first step towards privatising the NHS?
GeeCee. I know. That's a shame really. Ireland could probably afford to have a better service.
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I know it's a think tank. I realise that it doesn't mean it's going to happen for sure. These "think tanks" do have influence though.
Deco. That's a cheap dig. Here's an interesting link that shows "free care" in Scotland is just a myth.
http://www.seniorsnetwork.co.uk/freecare/
OMG Haz! That is scary.
CJ see Kozzmo's answer for why it's not so good.
- Incapability Brown - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
This is a think tank recommendation it will never happen
- Julesy71 - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
£20 thats scandalous. I am the same as you and have to see my GP regular as I suffer from OCD and I know if I had to pay £20 to see a GP I couldnt afford that so my health would suffer. I dont think this would ever take off as there would be such an outcry as I would imagine most people couldnt afford this so I wouldnt worry.
- GeeCee - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
In Ireland we pay €50 to see our Doctors and it is €100 to go to A+E.
- Prince of Darkness - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
For SMF Read NWO!
Don't GPs get well over a hundred grand to 'Practice' ????????
Yes they do!
- Helen S - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
This would be the final nail in the coffin of Labour, as cash strapped as they are, and so will not happen. I'm horrified to see how much people in Ireland are now having to pay!
- vambo number five - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
I bet David Cameron will be looking at that with a great deal of interest.
Right up their street.
- Deco - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
How else are we going to be able to keep funding free prescription and care homes in Scotland if the English don't cough up? Pardon the pun.
- Haz - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
Well from what I've read this lot organise 'fringe' event sponsorship around party conferences.
The conservative 2008 conference they had BUPA..also the funding of their 'research' and very existence of SMF exists by way of heavy donations..the main one being 'GlaxoSmithKline'
*claxon*
- kozzm0 - 10-12-2012 08:35 AM
20 pounds is about $30. In America people would kill to be able to see a doctor for just $30. They charge usually about $70 for an office visit, and urgent care or an ER is about $200.
I've never heard of the SMF but this part of their statement says it all: "It champions policy ideas which marry markets with social justice"
They are the Communist Party of the PRC in other words. They're deluded Mensheviks. They're the classic liberal: mere patsies put into place by the corporate class to be straw men, a fake opposition. And these ones are obviously being used to try to privatize your good health care system.
But 20 pounds still sounds cheap to me. I'm there. I'm gettin on a boat.