The Telegraph is featuring this article Drunks should pay for emergency treatment Drinkers admitted to hospital for less than 24 hours, such as those needing stomach pumps or just sleeping off the effects of a heavy night, should be made to pay up to £532, a report by Policy Exchange recommends.This “think tank” thinks it has the cure for all ills, introducing charges for drinkers who are admitted to hospital is the beginning of privatising the NHS.
What next?-charging smokers for cancer treatment, or athletes, boxers, footballers, rugby players, and other sports “persons” for treatment, because let’s face it all the above are “self inflicted” injuries.
Or children who fall out of trees; or off their bikes-self inflicted.
There can be no differentiation between “illnesses” the NHS is there to treat us with no cost at the point of treatment, it is set in stone, and is a right we pay for.
If the know alls at Policy Exchange want to make a difference then let them advise the Government to reinstate the licensing hours, prevent supermarkets from selling cheap booze 24 hours a day, close the nightclubs at 11 pm, do away with “happy hours” and buy one get four free drinks.
Charging patients for treatment is a no-no; it goes against the prime directive of the NHS, which is treatment for all regardless of the cause of that illness.
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
Angus Dei politico
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