UKIP wants to charge NHS patients to skip waiting times

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UKIP leader Nigel Farage has endorsed an article by the party's health spokesperson which calls for people to be allowed to pay to skip A&E waiting times.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has endorsed an article by the party’s health spokesperson which calls for people to be allowed to pay to skip A&E waiting times.

Last week Farage tweeted an article by John Stanley, a surgeon and UKIP candidate, referring to Stanley as a “UKIP health spokesman”.

In the article Stanley argues that people requiring urgent treatment should be seen within two hours, whereas those requiring non-urgent treatment should be given the option of paying to avoid waiting.

“We should accept that if a triaging clinician feels we don’t need treating within two hours required for standard cases then we be either willing to pay or willing to wait longer so cases most deserving are treated best. People should pay a higher charge if they haven’t registered with a GP as being directed back to primary care avoids unnecessary A&E visits.”

Stanley added that under UKIP people who qualify for free prescriptions would be exempt from the flat fee – but only if they haven’t been drinking.

“The same exceptions as for the prescription charge could apply unless the patient was drunk and disorderly or incapable.”

Drunk and incapable? Sounds like one of Farage’s MEPs.

In summary, among other things UKIP would:

  • Scrap NHS 111

  • Charge those requiring A&E treatment who don’t need treating within two hours

  • Allow mutual providers, including GPs, to charge a flat fee to see non-emergency cases

  • Ensure people can pay upfront fees off over a period of time when registered with a GP

  • Refuse to discount fees for drunk patients.

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39 Responses to “UKIP wants to charge NHS patients to skip waiting times”

  1. SimonLewis

    It beggars belief..

  2. catlady16

    why don’t they just shoot us now?

  3. Cole

    Their health policy will go down really well with their mostly elderly voters.

  4. Geraint

    UKIP are a right wing political party, and Labour should be pointing out UKIPs policies to Labour voters who are waivering to UKIP. Show them for what they are, the heirs to Thatcher.

  5. JakethePeg

    This isn`t new, last year I tore the ligaments in one of my legs, after seeing the doc and being on painkillers for 2 months I was eventually referred to a NHS physio. After a further 3 months I received a letter from the NHS stating if I needed to return to my work I could go private otherwise I would continue on the waiting list until my appointment became due. I refused to be bribed to jump the queue and after 10 months my leg eventually healed itself, and I still never received a date to see the physio. So the above blog is not some new concept connived by UKIP, it`s already being used by the NHS.

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