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How can I stop paying for the NHS?

I am considering getting private health insurance, but no longer wish to contribute to the NHS as it is the worst healthcare system in Western Europe. I do not see it as my responsibility to pay for other peoples' healthcare, when I am more than willing to pay for my own.

Is there any way I can stop the British public stealing my money to pay for their healthcare?

Edit: I might have known that the extreme far left would have taken a disliking to my post.
(edited 12 years ago)

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Why, you selfish ****? You don't know when you're gonna need it, do you?
Reply 2
Unless you move out of the country, then you have to pay..



(Also, many treatments you cant get done privately, and many people pay for their private health only to be referred back to the NHS. And i dont know if there even is a private A&E)
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 3
[QUOTE='[]D [] []V[] []D;31190691']Why, you selfish ****? You don't know when you're gonna need it, do you?

I've just said that I'll pay (what will presumably be top dollar) for my own insurance and not use the NHS. Why is other peoples' healthcare my problem?
I'm afraid that's not how it works. If you can afford private healthcare then you can afford to pay the relevant taxes to fund the NHS for those who can't.
Original post by isaqyi
no longer wish to contribute to the NHS as it is the worst healthcare system in Western Europe.


Depends on the data you look at. I have a chronic and life threatening condition and the UK has the best survival rates for my condition anywhere in Europe. The NHS rocks as far as I am concerned.
Original post by isaqyi
I've just said that I'll pay (what will presumably be top dollar) for my own insurance and not use the NHS. Why is other peoples' healthcare my problem?

The overall cost to society of sickness means it is your responsibility as a member of society to prevent this from occurring.
Reply 7
Leave the country.
Original post by isaqyi
I've just said that I'll pay (what will presumably be top dollar) for my own insurance and not use the NHS. Why is other peoples' healthcare my problem?


It's the principle of mutual reciprocity. If you want to be a selfish bastard then go and live in the USA.
Definitely not the worst in western europe.
Just sayin'.
Reply 10
I don't use play parks and don't ever want to have children but obviously I'll still have to contribute towards their maintenance etc. through taxes and so I should - you should have to contribute to the society you're living in even if you aren't necessarily going to benefit from some of the services.
I'm tempted to call troll but that may just be naivety in not believing anyone can really be this moronic.
Reply 11
Original post by RightSaidJames
I'm afraid that's not how it works. If you can afford private healthcare then you can afford to pay the relevant taxes to fund the NHS for those who can't.


Reply 12
Original post by tehFrance
This is socialism at it's worst :frown: we should have the option to not pay for the NHS if we wish to go private instead.

I personally am all for a free market with a privatised healthcare system, where I'd actually get seen rather than have to wait for hours and days on end just to get a preliminary appointment... I have had to go back to France several times since I have been here due to not being seen quick enough and yes I know France's healthcare is government funded but it works, unlike the British system... to me the only way the NHS will get better is for it to be scrapped and either rebuilt (a complete revamp of their framework, etc) or come back privatised and run like corporations.

/Ramble :tongue:


Okay, so yes YOU'd be better off with a private healthcare system, but what about the majority of people who'd be far worse off if the NHS was privatised? Either you're incapable of seeing the wider picture or you're quite selfish in my opinion.
Original post by isaqyi
I am considering getting private health insurance, but no longer wish to contribute to the NHS as it is the worst healthcare system in Western Europe. I do not see it as my responsibility to pay for other peoples' healthcare, when I am more than willing to pay for my own.


You do realise that your private healthcare provider will often use NHS facilities to provode treatment don't you?

Oh and if your private healthcare provider gets in a little too over their head with your treatment (ie: some happens for the worse) they'll fob you off to an NHS hospital anyway.

Private healthcare rarely provides anything other than 2nd line/rehabilitation treatment and if the issue escalates they'll 9 times out of 10 fob you off to the NHS to protect their profit margins.

Yes I have had private healthcare, yes my issue did worsen and yes I was "relocated to the care of" (as they put it) the NHS.

Private healthcare provision in the UK is a racket. All the important medical staff are NHS staff working on the side (private healthcare alone does not provide enough depth and workload to remain current with medical procedures), much of the healthcare provided is done in NHS facilities and (as I said) if things get a little dicey you'll end up with the NHS anyway.

All the good bits about taking money off folk without any of the hang-ups of having to shell out potential stockholders profits on expensive procedures, because if the original treatment costs get out of hand there is state healthcare to pick up the pieces.
Reply 14
This is a democracy (well, for the most part) and we have elected a party with a public healthcare system in it's manifesto. You can stop paying when a party with private healthcare plans is elected, which is unlikely to happen as the NHS has a large amount of public support.
I hope if you do find a way, you no longer get the privilege of NHS funded ambulances or emergency surgery after serious accidents.
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by tehFrance
This is socialism at it's worst :frown: we should have the option to not pay for the NHS if we wish to go private instead.


Private healthcare in the UK is not comprehensive - for example, and if you get into a road accident or such it is an NHS hospital you will be sent to in an NHS ambulance. You can't opt out when there is no alternative that will cover all your healthcare needs in every situation - no matter how much money you have.
Reply 17
The people on this thread are just charity cases. Go and bleat to the Salvation Army if it's charity you want; I couldn't care less!
Original post by isaqyi
the NHS as it is the worst healthcare system in Western Europe.


Oh god I lol'd so hard

Mate, move to America, you'd fit in over there
Reply 19
I'm still waiting for a urethroplasty. I've had a supra-pubic catheter in for 5 months already. Not good.

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