Charging drunks that abuse the NHS

[Arthurgray50@blu]

In todays news coverage, on Tv and in newspapers, It has been suggested that NHS should charge people that abuse alcohol at festive periods, as it is costing a great deal of money.

Well when the government can enforce a law that WILL charge foriegners that come into this country and abuse this countries benefit system and the NHS, then l will accept this idea. I took a mate of mine up the local hospital after he slipped on ice, and did his knee in, the LAS wouldn't come out to him, as he wasn't a serious case, when we got to the hospital, there were about ten people who couldn't speak English abusing the staff, as they wanted to be seen first.

This country does have a point on this subject, but then if they stopped this abuse happening, then maybe they will save money in the long run.

[NoKnowledge]

What about the tax on alcohol, where does that go?

What about fat people who eat too much?
People who smoke?
People who eat too much fried food have a dodgy heart?

In otherwords, It would set a bad precedent.

[Derek]

You already get charged after car accidents, it seems to be an extension of this.

That said it'll never be enforceable, most of the 'problem' patients are on benefits and don't pay court imposed fines so adding on NHS charges would be even less likely to get paid.

Plus it rather goes against the NHS ethos as well as goes straight to the basic premise that a doctor will treat a patient according to their needs regardless of what their lifestyle or ability to pay.

I find it unacceptable and personally offensive, that my taxes are wasted on people who have so little self respect, that they feel it necessary to get so snot-faced they end up breaking legs/arms falling off their high heels. Or getting into fights after chucking out time. Then get raced to the front of the A & E queue because they are complete and utter wasters, only to verbally, and occasionally, physically abuse nurses and doctors. While those who don't get snattered on the weekend get to suffer for their drunken stupidity....

if it was upto me, anyone presented to A & E would be blood tested for alcohol, and if showing a high level would be charged for the treatment they receive. If the drunken Richard Head is on benefits, then it gets deducted directly from their dole cheque over a set period of time. If the person is working, then it gets deducted from their wages on payday....

If people have the cash to urinate up a wall. Then they can bloody well pay for the havoc their idiotic drunkenness costs the taxpayer....

[Angua]

Apparently registered alcoholics on the dole get £200 per week for booze according to Ma in Law. How true this is I have no idea.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Damien

What about fat people who eat too much?
People who smoke?
People who eat too much fried food have a dodgy heart?

In otherwords, It would set a bad precedent.

People who drive too fast and/or dangerously and injure themselves?
People who catch a HIV/AIDS or another STD? After all, HIV/AIDS in particular is very expensive to treat, and most people have recreational sex..

Also, even with alcohol, where do you stop? What about someone who has a quick Whisky (one), gets up, leaves, trips, and breaks a leg?

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

there were about ten people who couldn't speak English abusing the staff, as they wanted to be seen first.

I wonder if the staff were offended, being abused and getting all these requests
to be seen first, in some foreign language they didn't understand...

it's a stupid idea and goes against the very principle of the NHS ,if we can't afford it then get rid of it for something else ,trying to have a half state /half private funded NHS will never work .Instead of targeting the nhs they should target achohol abuse by teenagers and young people ,hit the source of the problem not try to tackle to end result .
As ridiculous as it seems anyone of any age can drink alchohol (over 5yrs i think)it's not illegal ,it's only illegal to buy it ,why can't they make it illegal to drink under 21

[Stuart]

Actually, the NHS was set up with procedures in place to charge people who for whatever reason (e.g people from other countries) are not entitled to free healthcare. It's just those procedures are not used.

As for banning drinking for under 21s, how do you enforce it? Many adults buy alcohol, and store it at home (for legitimate reasons). How would you stop the kids nicking the alcohol, drinking it and going out and causing trouble?

I agree that we need to be treating the source of the problem (the alcohol abuse) rather than the end result. I think part of the problem is that we have the idea of going out and getting drunk deliberately, rather than going out and drinking socially.

[soicky]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Actually, the NHS was set up with procedures in place to charge people who for whatever reason (e.g people from other countries) are not entitled to free healthcare. It's just those procedures are not used.

As for banning drinking for under 21s, how do you enforce it? Many adults buy alcohol, and store it at home (for legitimate reasons). How would you stop the kids nicking the alcohol, drinking it and going out and causing trouble?

I agree that we need to be treating the source of the problem (the alcohol abuse) rather than the end result. I think part of the problem is that we have the idea of going out and getting drunk deliberately, rather than going out and drinking socially.

Spot on, it seems to be the trend these days.

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Actually, the NHS was set up with procedures in place to charge people who for whatever reason (e.g people from other countries) are not entitled to free healthcare. It's just those procedures are not used.

As for banning drinking for under 21s, how do you enforce it? Many adults buy alcohol, and store it at home (for legitimate reasons). How would you stop the kids nicking the alcohol, drinking it and going out and causing trouble?


I agree that we need to be treating the source of the problem (the alcohol abuse) rather than the end result. I think part of the problem is that we have the idea of going out and getting drunk deliberately, rather than going out and drinking socially.

i think if it was illegal then a better massage would be sent ,i know that it wouldn't stop those determined to have a drink ,but some would think a bit different
i agree with what you say about social drinking younger people do tend to think the whole point of having a drink is to get rat faced ,thats the attitude we have to change

Well I don't know where the idea has come from to go out and spend a weeks wages on a bender.My generation never quite had the money and neither did our parents who also didn't have the cash to splash on having a lot of booze in the house let alone get bladdered all the time..

[Derek]

Bloody torys trying to destroy the NHS and charge people for using it.