Re: And we wonder why......
Originally Posted by
Barry
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Why shouldn't everyone pay, you couldn't go into a shop and expect not to pay for goods or services so why expect it of the NHS?
However, medical staff should not be part of the payment system, a financial admin department should deal with this and screen patients before admission for treatment.
So accountants should decide who is entitled to health treatment?
The whole point of the NHS is that it's free at the point of access. The services are paid for by those who can afford to pay for them and free for everyone. To say people should pay is like saying why do we have to pay for the pensions of people who no longer work.
I've said before that British consulates abroad should not grant visas to people who cannot prove they have healthcare insurance to cover all their medical conditions before coming to the UK. This should be part of border control checks and not something the NHS has to deal with.
It's part of a bigger issue where we do not know who is coming into the country and where they go when they outstay their visa. People from a number of countries are meant to register with the Police when they arrive here but I wonder how robust that system is and why it doesn't automatically link into the NHS service they are entitled to & include a check of their health insurance details.
So granting of visas to the UK should include a health check in the country of origin and confirmation of insurance. That's one thing that would help. If someone is too sick to travel and does not have insurance should not be granted a visa.