That’s not really a solution…
I’ve had another thought.
Clothing.
I tell everyone I have enough clothes to last me a few years (true), and that I’m not buying any more, unless something wears out completely, for environmental reasons (a bit true).
The fact is, I hate shopping, and the overwhelming choice available.
2 Likes
When something is wrong with my car I have to pay £90* for the garage to plug a computer into the engine and read off the error codes. This is before they actually do any work on it, and when they do, that work then has to be paid for also - that first £90? It’s only a diagnostic charge.
It’s the same charge if they plug the computer in and it doesn’t trip any error codes because the problem is a purely mechanical one that doesn’t set off any sensors. It’s the same charge despite they fact they’ve surely covered the cost of the computer by now and are probably generating pure profit each time its used.
It’s an absolute swizz is what it is, and probably the best answer I have for this question (as many other things I don’t like paying for, I could stop paying if the cost/benefit wasn’t there. But this? No way around it if my car has a problem and I want it fixed.)
*Can be higher or lower depending on your model of car or individual garages.
Then go private? the options are there for you.
I work for the NHS and have no issue paying into it…
The only small annoyance I have is NHS prescriptions… I rarely use the NHS… but when I do I hate needing a medication walking to the Pharmacy and paying £9 for meds that are half the price if I could buy them off prescription.
I don’t abuse the NHS but I have to pay for the people who do…
It is. Maybe one you don’t like but that’s different… 
I think you might be completely missing my point. Paying for private health care doesn’t fix the fact that the NHS is broken. That doesn’t solve the problem.
1 Like
Why are these one better? Genuine question… are they all based on tax payments?
Ohh I know it doesn’t solve the problem, but it solves your problem?
Not saying this specifically in reference to you, but if you are in the privileged position of being able to afford private healthcare, then your tax would be helping the under privileged who can’t and have to rely on the NHS as it is their only choice (that or get sick/ill/die etc).
to be fair, if everyone that was unhappy with the service and could afford to went private, it would probably reduce the strain on the NHS a bit…
(not suggesting this as a real solution)
I’d like to know more about how it works in France, in an easy to digest paragraph or two if anyone fancies diluting it down for me?
Could perhaps all the NHS talk be split off to another topic now? 
4 Likes
Agreed (aware I’m contributing to that and kinda wish I hadn’t started this topic at all!)
I’d happily pay more tax to fund public services which are fit for purpose.
4 Likes
Tax
I’m glad to be rich enough to pay tax.
1 Like
You can pay my tax bill then 
1 Like
source: Common Wealth Fund
4 Likes
Switzerland is a great example. Everyone has health insurance. For those who can’t afford it, this is paid for by the government. Hospitals are run privately, while competing to provide the best service at the most cost-effective price.
2 Likes
The ludicrous price of my season ticket for the Train to work
But roughly a majority of people don’t want to pay more tax, even for that.
“Fit for purpose” is an incredibly subjective term and you may think that only the Ferrari of the healthcare world counts as “fit for purpose”. Someone else might think that Ford or Fiat is a perfectly adequate level of healthcare and rather spend more of their money on stuff that matters to them.