Comments on: Minister launches war on doctors’ fees

Comments on: Minister launches war on doctors’ fees http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/ Guernsey News, Sport, Community & Lifestyle Fri, 24 May 2013 15:58:20 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Rachel http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226947 Rachel Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:23:27 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226947 I suppose it comes down to choice then doesn't it? If you have no choice then you will receive a lower standard of care, whereas, if you have a greater choice then you will be treated to a greater standard because they have to work harder for your business. Even when you are paying the high rates (through insurance) the current anti competitive practice of maintaining a cap on number of doctors limits patient choice. I'm with Kevin Stewart in lifting the cap on number of doctors and increasing competition, not just for lower fees but for a greater standard of care overall. I suppose it comes down to choice then doesn’t it? If you have no choice then you will receive a lower standard of care, whereas, if you have a greater choice then you will be treated to a greater standard because they have to work harder for your business. Even when you are paying the high rates (through insurance) the current anti competitive practice of maintaining a cap on number of doctors limits patient choice. I’m with Kevin Stewart in lifting the cap on number of doctors and increasing competition, not just for lower fees but for a greater standard of care overall.

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]]> By: Propaganda http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226833 Propaganda Wed, 16 Jan 2013 22:18:52 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226833 £70 per month, £840 per year for two of you!!! You'd have to be ill very often to get value for money from that deal! It's enough for 21 visits to the GP, nearly one a month each. If you're not going that often you'd be far better off self insuring, in other words just paying the doctors bill as and when required. £70 per month, £840 per year for two of you!!!

You’d have to be ill very often to get value for money from that deal!

It’s enough for 21 visits to the GP, nearly one a month each. If you’re not going that often you’d be far better off self insuring, in other words just paying the doctors bill as and when required.

]]> By: Pat http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226750 Pat Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:10:16 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226750 The majority of people use an NHS GP in the UK which is free, they couldn't afford a consultation with a private GP, which infact would be at least double what we pay here. Even if you have private medical insurance in the UK you still have to go through your own NHS GP, to get referred to a consultant privately. The majority of people use an NHS GP in the UK which is free, they couldn’t afford a consultation with a private GP, which infact would be at least double what we pay here. Even if you have private medical insurance in the UK you still have to go through your own NHS GP, to get referred to a consultant privately.

]]> By: Laughing inmate http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226566 Laughing inmate Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:49:48 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226566 Rachel I assume you're joking? Maybe it's different if a client is paying £500 an hour, but if you're a legal aid punter you get seen at the advocate's convenience, with late and/or cancelled appointments incredibly common. Rachel

I assume you’re joking? Maybe it’s different if a client is paying £500 an hour, but if you’re a legal aid punter you get seen at the advocate’s convenience, with late and/or cancelled appointments incredibly common.

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]]> By: Rachel http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226460 Rachel Tue, 15 Jan 2013 22:14:55 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226460 At least lawyers will prep themselves prior to a meeting, treat clients with respect and be on time, whereas doctors/consultants will more often than not expect the patient to explain their entire sometimes very complex history, over and over again, often when the patient is in pain or on medication, without even bothering to read their notes or xray reports prior to seeing them (which they will often be trying to skim read whilst the patient is speaking). Consultants are the absolute worst in this area and current practices are unprofessional and lead to mistakes. The article states that there is a cap on the number of GPs/Consultants here- is that true? Surely that is against competition law? At least lawyers will prep themselves prior to a meeting, treat clients with respect and be on time, whereas doctors/consultants will more often than not expect the patient to explain their entire sometimes very complex history, over and over again, often when the patient is in pain or on medication, without even bothering to read their notes or xray reports prior to seeing them (which they will often be trying to skim read whilst the patient is speaking). Consultants are the absolute worst in this area and current practices are unprofessional and lead to mistakes.

The article states that there is a cap on the number of GPs/Consultants here- is that true? Surely that is against competition law?

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]]> By: sarnia expat http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226300 sarnia expat Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:56:41 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226300 Absolutely. Looked on my particular site this morning and it works out at £8 per week. OK so you have to pay three months before they pay out, but it is worth it isn't it? Absolutely. Looked on my particular site this morning and it works out at £8 per week. OK so you have to pay three months before they pay out, but it is worth it isn’t it?

]]> By: A.J. http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226288 A.J. Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:42:57 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226288 Or, you could join 'The Oddfellows.' We have been members for more than 50 years, and have never had to pay doctor's fees,whilst even 'some' Optician's and dentist's costs have also been covered.We are at present paying,just over £70 per month, which covers two of us.I believe this has been an excellent insurance, and have recommended it to our friends and family Or, you could join ‘The Oddfellows.’
We have been members for more than 50 years, and have never had to pay doctor’s fees,whilst even ‘some’ Optician’s and dentist’s costs have also been covered.We are at present paying,just over £70 per month, which covers two of us.I believe this has been an excellent insurance, and have recommended it to our friends and family

]]> By: keeper http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226280 keeper Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:22:15 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226280 Can you then please justify the charges made if you attend A & E in particular during the night time. These charges are in excess of £150 with no overheads!!!! as nurses, equipment, etc all paid for by the taxpayer. Having experienced this and been seen for only 5 minutes by the Dr and the rest of the time by very capable nurses. Can Dep. Jones also confirm that on top of these charges HSSD also pay something like £800,000 for GPs to give this cover???? Can you then please justify the charges made if you attend A & E in particular during the night time. These charges are in excess of £150 with no overheads!!!! as nurses, equipment, etc all paid for by the taxpayer. Having experienced this and been seen for only 5 minutes by the Dr and the rest of the time by very capable nurses. Can Dep. Jones also confirm that on top of these charges HSSD also pay something like £800,000 for GPs to give this cover????

]]> By: Scarlett http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226271 Scarlett Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:05:09 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226271 ..there you go, Kev, take a quick squiz at the front page of the Press today for a little reminder of what your job is and what you should be focussing on, two businesses on the way out, more redundancies... got any actual solutions to the oncoming crises? No? Quelle surprise. ..there you go, Kev, take a quick squiz at the front page of the Press today for a little reminder of what your job is and what you should be focussing on, two businesses on the way out, more redundancies…

got any actual solutions to the oncoming crises?

No?

Quelle surprise.

]]> By: sarnia expat http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226180 sarnia expat Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:27:13 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226180 It is expensive we know that, so why don't you buy insurance? Presumably you don't drive your car without some form of cover, so why would you take risks with your body? You don't have to pay over the odds for all the bells and whistles that some insurers charge - I pay a very cheap rate for my family and all the visits to GP/nurses/physios are covered. La Fraternelle is the place to go, local and friendly! It is expensive we know that, so why don’t you buy insurance? Presumably you don’t drive your car without some form of cover, so why would you take risks with your body? You don’t have to pay over the odds for all the bells and whistles that some insurers charge – I pay a very cheap rate for my family and all the visits to GP/nurses/physios are covered. La Fraternelle is the place to go, local and friendly!

]]> By: tomb http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-226021 tomb Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:52:05 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-226021 had to go to the doctor for work on boxing day o yer normal surgery closed ok intitled to bank hols off fair enough so up to primary care £92 that cost so an extra £52 was'nt chuffed ,£92 more then a days wages for me dont seem right some how . had to go to the doctor for work on boxing day o yer normal surgery closed ok intitled to bank hols off fair enough so up to primary care £92 that cost so an extra £52 was’nt chuffed ,£92 more then a days wages for me dont seem right some how .

]]> By: Bridge http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-225872 Bridge Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:39:57 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-225872 Actually the private rate to see a GP in the UK (at least in Hertfordshire) is almost the same as here. Actually the private rate to see a GP in the UK (at least in Hertfordshire) is almost the same as here.

]]> By: Bridge http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-225871 Bridge Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:39:03 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-225871 @ Bizarre Who said that islanders don't want to pay via tax for their healthcare? Have you actually asked everyone? At least then we would all be on an even playing field. At the moment there are hundreds (probably thousands) of families with finance-industry-funded medical insurance lining doctors' pockets and allowing them to live like royalty, whilst the rest of us struggle to make ends meet. As to "factoring in" healthcare costs, how can you do that when you have no idea how "ill" you (or your family) are going to be? One of my children went through a period of serious and prolonged ill-health last year and by the time she was well I had clocked up a medical bill in the region of just under £1,000. If you are on a modest salary, how are you supposed to just "factor that in"? Perhaps you are one of those with comfortable health insurance paid for by some faceless corporation. Well if you are, lucky you. Not all of us are that fortunate. @ Bizarre

Who said that islanders don’t want to pay via tax for their healthcare? Have you actually asked everyone? At least then we would all be on an even playing field. At the moment there are hundreds (probably thousands) of families with finance-industry-funded medical insurance lining doctors’ pockets and allowing them to live like royalty, whilst the rest of us struggle to make ends meet.

As to “factoring in” healthcare costs, how can you do that when you have no idea how “ill” you (or your family) are going to be? One of my children went through a period of serious and prolonged ill-health last year and by the time she was well I had clocked up a medical bill in the region of just under £1,000. If you are on a modest salary, how are you supposed to just “factor that in”?

Perhaps you are one of those with comfortable health insurance paid for by some faceless corporation. Well if you are, lucky you. Not all of us are that fortunate.

]]> By: Bridge http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-225868 Bridge Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:30:41 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-225868 @ Just Saying, thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately however I am one of those who fall into the bracket where I do not earn a low enough salary to warrant claiming on the MEAS Scheme, (the threshold is very low), but I don't earn enough to actually pay for more than one doctor's bill a month without really struggling. Almost £50 a time is really a lot of money for me (and no doubt for many others). So over the winter, with two young children, it can be a trying time. I think part of the problem is that so many finance workers have health insurance for themselves and all their families and can just visit the doctor willy-nilly, thereby driving up insurance premiums and muddying the waters when it comes to analysing the cost impact on the community as a whole. Add that to the fact that doctors live like minor aristocracy in Guernsey, and you have quite a problem for those without significant means. I suppose I could do like others and chuck in working and scrounge off the States, but that is not the kind of life I want for myself (or my children). @ Just Saying, thanks for your suggestion.

Unfortunately however I am one of those who fall into the bracket where I do not earn a low enough salary to warrant claiming on the MEAS Scheme, (the threshold is very low), but I don’t earn enough to actually pay for more than one doctor’s bill a month without really struggling. Almost £50 a time is really a lot of money for me (and no doubt for many others). So over the winter, with two young children, it can be a trying time.

I think part of the problem is that so many finance workers have health insurance for themselves and all their families and can just visit the doctor willy-nilly, thereby driving up insurance premiums and muddying the waters when it comes to analysing the cost impact on the community as a whole.

Add that to the fact that doctors live like minor aristocracy in Guernsey, and you have quite a problem for those without significant means.

I suppose I could do like others and chuck in working and scrounge off the States, but that is not the kind of life I want for myself (or my children).

]]> By: Scarlett http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/01/08/minister-launches-war-on-doctors-fees/#comment-225806 Scarlett Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:23:06 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=167172#comment-225806 Thank god that St Kev has finally found a popular bandwagon to jump on and secure his further political career. Guess it's easier than applying himself to his more pressing matters, ie. finding suitable alternatives for the shrinking finance industry, whilst trying to reassure them they're still his BFF's, ay......? ;) Thank god that St Kev has finally found a popular bandwagon to jump on and secure his further political career.

Guess it’s easier than applying himself to his more pressing matters, ie. finding suitable alternatives for the shrinking finance industry, whilst trying to reassure them they’re still his BFF’s, ay……? ;)

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