Members who live in the UK, can you explain how the NHS works?

[jnelsoninjax]

I have been watching the show 24 Hours in A&E and am very curious how the NHS system works. Do you pay something when you go to the doctor or the hospital? Or are you paying from your paychecks/taxes? Please explain the system to me! Thanks!

[Max Veteran]

We are taxed on our income and we pay national insurance. These pay for the NHS. You are not charged to see a doctor but if you walk away with a prescription, it costs £8.40 per item. Visits to the hospital are free. The same treatments and medicine would cost many thousands for someone in the US without medical insurance.

[Slugsie]

As Max said, we pay a National Insurance contribution directly from our wages. That's it. All hospital visits, ambulances, and trips to your GP are covered from that. The only extra to pay if for prescriptions, but they're typically around £8 per item - although if there is a cheaper generic the pharmacist will recommend that instead. If you're a diabetic like me even prescriptions are free.

 

The system isn't perfect, but if I'm sick I see a doctor. No worries about being able to afford it or not. 

[jnelsoninjax]

4 minutes ago, Slugsie said:

As Max said, we pay a National Insurance contribution directly from our wages. That's it. All hospital visits, ambulances, and trips to your GP are covered from that. The only extra to pay if for prescriptions, but they're typically around £8 per item - although if there is a cheaper generic the pharmacist will recommend that instead. If you're a diabetic like me even prescriptions are free.

 

The system isn't perfect, but if I'm sick I see a doctor. No worries about being able to afford it or not. 

Thanks for the info, does the same go for HEMS (helicopter EMS)? Because someone I heard about living here in the US, crashed his car in Alaska, and ended up being life lighted from Alaska to Washington state and he's got a bill for $117K!

[Max Veteran]

Yes, our air ambulances are free.

[Slugsie]

AFAIK Air Ambulances are covered too.

[jnelsoninjax]

Wow! That seems like a really good system, how much do you pay out of your checks?

[Slugsie]

It's 12% on income between £155 and £827 a week, and 2% in income above that.

[Max Veteran]

Our personal tax free allowance is £11,000. If you earn more than that, everything between £11,000-£43,000 is taxed at 20%. The higher rate (£43k-£150k) is taxed at 40%.

[jnelsoninjax]

2 minutes ago, Max said:

Our personal tax free allowance is £11,000. If you earn more than that, everything between £11,000-£43,000 is taxed at 20%. The higher rate (£43k-£150k) is taxed at 40%.

Very interesting information. I recall watching a documentary from Michael Moore called Sicko, where he went to the UK, and Europe areas and showed the health care system, he also said that in the UK, if you take bus or taxi to the hospital, the hospital pays for it? I think that is what I remember.

[Max Veteran]

NI costs vary:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-and-allowances-national-insurance-contributions/rates-and-allowances-national-insurance-contributions

 

High earners pay much more in taxes and NI.

[Max Veteran]

If you are claiming certain benefits or are on a low income you can claim back certain travel costs. You have to meet a criteria though.

[+John Teacake MVC]

Yeah, Basically it is all covered by your Tax's automatically (Most things anyway) Air Ambulances are free, Had one out in my time. Dental stuff isnt covered and Prescription Items are not (Conditions apply)

 

[Elliot B.]

The issue is, there is a severe financial deficit in the NHS and and many people believe that, slowly, things are being privatised.

 

The King's Fund released a major publication today (February 21) and here is the press' takes on it:

• BBC News: Hospital cuts planned in most of England
• Daily Mail: Close A&E and maternity units to save the NHS, says think-tank
• Financial Times: Invest in social care before closing beds, says think-tank
• Independent: Government cutting beds across UK hospitals in NHS money saving measures
• International Business Times: Politicians should not fight to keep 'unsafe' NHS services open
• iNews: King’s Fund report on STPs: make social care an ‘urgent priority’
• Public Finance: King's Fund: Government must defend ‘controversial’ STPs
• The Sun: Hospitals must close in order to save the NHS
• The Sun: Map reveals NHS services facing closure
• Telegraph: Politicians must not 'collude' to stop closures of unsafe hospital services

And these are some other press articles from yesterday:

• BBC News: How far into the red will the NHS sink?
• BBC News: Winter pressure 'busts NHS budget'
• Guardian: NHS trusts post 'unsustainable' £886m third-quarter deficit
• Independent: NHS blames 'winter pressures' as trusts report deficit of £886m in nine months
• ITV News: NHS Trusts 'overspent by £300 million'
• Metro: NHS goes further into the red with deficit of nearly £900,000,000
• The Mirror: NHS facing financial crisis as trusts already £886million in the red during busiest winter
• PharmaTimes: NHS books £886m year-to-date deficit

 

Basically, the NHS is, and has been for a long time, in a lot of trouble.

More NHS news can be seen here.

Edited February 21, 2017 by Elliot B.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

There are also lots of differences between the different countries and their respective NHS. For instance, Ireland, Scotland and Wales do not have prescription charges.

 

More changes listed here: http://www.webmd.boots.com/nhs/nhs-differences-across-the-uk

[Mando]

I have BUPA Healthcare supplied as part of my employment so technically im no longer NHS, but I still pay the same income tax and NI contributions, im cool with that, being an ex NHS clinician myself. 

 

Working in the NHS isnt a job, its a way of life, kudos to all that can manage the life, its a hard career and wages while decent have been getting under inflation wage rises since i left almost 10 years ago, so in real terms less money in their hands, more workload and poorer conditions.

 

 I personally got out after 13years, seeing my caseload increase 25% annually with a drop of 10% in operating budget and the patients charter to abide by. The last year I used 0 days annual leave in a year because if i did id be behind with caseload and breaching the patients charter.

At end of year i was told sorry, we have no funds to pay you for your non-used holidays, but we can give you time and a half off leave post April instead?

 

Only in the NHS  resigned a matter of days later, retrained in IT and never looked back 

 

The only difference for BUPA is, there are no waiting lists to see a doctor, specialist or surgeon, whatever you need. 

 

The NHS is a fantastic national asset, which has sadly been underfunded and overloaded with top end managers, with patient care suffering as an end result, the floor staff and supporting staff at the front line deserve medals.

Edited February 21, 2017 by Mando

[+John Teacake MVC]

That's the issue. It's stuffed with Middle Level Managers who have meeting's to discuss the options on their car lease, They get comfortable and just never need to leave on their cushy wages. 

[Daedroth]

I can't understand why people don't think the NHS is a good idea. We all contribute a percentage directly based from our wages, so it's not like we see that money we pay. No matter the situation, all emergency transport, checks, diagnosis, procedures, and care are free, including any possible after-care, such as physiotherapy, etc.

 

If I'm in an accident, I know that I will be taken to hospital, checked, dealt with and I won't have to worry about bills.

 

I was actually speaking to someone over the weekend about this. When she was young, her parents decided to relocate the family to the US for a year. However, her brother suffered from epilepsy and had a lot of problems whilst over there. They raked up over $50,000 in medical bills and decided to move back to the UK for the NHS. I can't fathom why anyone thinks that way of medical care is a good idea.

[Elliot B.]

Just now, Daedroth said:

I can't understand why people don't think the NHS is a good idea. We all contribute a percentage directly based from our wages, so it's not like we see that money we pay. No matter the situation, all emergency transport, checks, diagnosis, procedures, and care are free, including any possible after-care, such as physiotherapy, etc.

 

If I'm in an accident, I know that I will be taken to hospital, checked, dealt with and I won't have to worry about bills.

 

I was actually speaking to someone over the weekend about this. When she was young, her parents decided to relocate the family to the US for a year. However, her brother suffered from epilepsy and had a lot of problems whilst over there. They raked up over $50,000 in medical bills and decided to move back to the UK for the NHS. I can't fathom why anyone thinks that way of medical care is a good idea.

GP waiting times are abysmal, almost every hospital is struggling all over the country (especially financially) and we're lagging behind a large amount of Europe when it comes to health standards/results.

This is why some people are against the NHS (as it stands, I mean; I'm sure most people would be happy with how it should be)

[Daedroth]

19 minutes ago, Elliot B. said:

GP waiting times are abysmal, almost every hospital is struggling all over the country (especially financially) and we're lagging behind a large amount of Europe when it comes to health standards/results.

This is why some people are against the NHS (as it stands, I mean; I'm sure most people would be happy with how it should be)

Yeah. I'm not saying what we have is perfect, there are improvements that need to be made in pretty much every sector of the NHS. However, the premise of not having racking up massive bills is worth it.

[Noir Angel]

25 minutes ago, Elliot B. said:

GP waiting times are abysmal, almost every hospital is struggling all over the country (especially financially) and we're lagging behind a large amount of Europe when it comes to health standards/results.

This is why some people are against the NHS (as it stands, I mean; I'm sure most people would be happy with how it should be)

None of those are problems with the NHS, those are problems caused by the fact that our citizens keep stupidly putting the conservatives into power. Elect a party prepared to give it the funding it needs, and it's still an amazing and world beating service.

And hell, I'll take waiting a couple of weeks longer for a non emergency appointment over being up to my eyeballs in debt 100 times out of 100.

[Cnónna]

On 21/2/2017 at 1:02 AM, Max said:

We are taxed on our income and we pay national insurance. These pay for the NHS. You are not charged to see a doctor but if you walk away with a prescription, it costs £8.40 per item. Visits to the hospital are free. The same treatments and medicine would cost many thousands for someone in the US without medical insurance.

only in england and wales in scotland and the north of Ireland prescriptions are free.

 

in the Republic it's €50 to see a GP. for most folk. with out health card.

Quote

A Medical Card is a plastic card, about the size of a credit card, issued by the HSE. People who hold a Medical Card are entitled to a range of Health Services free of charge.

What Health Services are available Free of Charge if I have a Medical Card?

You are entitled to the following services if you have a Medical Card:

• Doctor Visits - a range of family doctor or GP services from a chosen doctor contracted to the HSE in your local area;
• Prescription Medicines: The supply of prescribed approved medicines, aids and appliances like wheelchairs, crutches etc. In some circumstances a deposit may be required for aids and appliances which will be refunded on return of the aid or appliance. A €2.50 charge applies to all prescription medicines dispensed to medical card patients;
• Certain Dental, Ophthalmic (Eye), and Aural (Ear) health services;
• Hospital Care - all in-patient services in public wards in public hospitals, including public consultant services;
• Hospital Visits - All out-patient services in public hospitals, including public consultant services;
• Medical & Midwifery Care for Mothers, including health care related to pregnancy and the care of the child for six weeks after birth;

Some personal and social care services, for example, public health nursing, social work services and other community care services based on client need.

 

 

Edited February 23, 2017 by Cnónna

[Elliot B.]

1 minute ago, Javik said:

None of those are problems with the NHS, those are problems caused by the fact that our citizens keep stupidly putting the conservatives into power. Elect a party prepared to give it the funding it needs, and it's still an amazing and world beating service.

And hell, I'll take waiting a couple of weeks longer for a non emergency appointment over being up to my eyeballs in debt 100 times out of 100.

You're blaming a particular party?

 

They're all the same, in the end!

The NHS costs a lot more than it's receiving (as do all services, which is why money can' come from those or they'd struggle even further, also).

 

It doesn't matter which party is in charge, without more money (i.e. taxes), services such as the NHS will continue to struggle.

[Cnónna]

1 minute ago, Elliot B. said:

You're blaming a particular party?

 

They're all the same, in the end!

The NHS costs a lot more than it's receiving (as do all services, which is why money can' come from those or they'd struggle even further, also).

 

It doesn't matter which party is in charge, without more money (i.e. taxes), services such as the NHS will continue to struggle.

 

 

a neighbor of mine who is married to an american woman, lived in the US for many years. they moved back to the north about 10 + years ago, he had health issues with his heart about 3 years ago, and needed a pace maker. told me straight he'd have been dead if he still lived in the US.

 

anyone knocking the NHS should take a long hard look at them selves, it's not a perfect system but it's a damn fine one. better than most other countries alternatives.

 

 

[Tomo]

6 minutes ago, Javik said:

None of those are problems with the NHS, those are problems caused by the fact that our citizens keep stupidly putting the conservatives into power. Elect a party prepared to give it the funding it needs, and it's still an amazing and world beating service.

And hell, I'll take waiting a couple of weeks longer for a non emergency appointment over being up to my eyeballs in debt 100 times out of 100.

Labour were in power for 13 years (1997 to 2010) and didn't do anything to improve matters.

 

Aside from that yeh I agree the NHS staff are always friendly and helpful. I can usually get an appointment with my GP within a day but would always be happy to wait if someone else has a more urgent issue, just need to persuade people to stop going to A+E for non emergencies and stop visiting the GP when they have a sniffle.