Originally Posted by HighCaper (Post 10979461)

I love the NHS. The only problem is, that everyone else does too, even the tourists.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10979468)

I think the NHS has worse problems than NHS tourists, TBH. They are a speck in the ocean compared to the increasing burden of "legitimate" patients who don't take personal responsibility for maintaining their own health.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10979468)

I think the NHS has worse problems than NHS tourists, TBH. They are a speck in the ocean compared to the increasing burden of "legitimate" patients who don't take personal responsibility for maintaining their own health.

Originally Posted by HighCaper (Post 10979493)

To some degree I agree with you. However I believe that someone who contributes to the system or simply by birthright has an entitlement to that public service. Rather than someone who's heard how great the British NHS is and booked a flight from a far off place to take advantage of a service they've never contributed a cent towards.

Originally Posted by Bud the Wiser (Post 10979483)

The aging population is perhaps going to be a bigger strain on the NHS. A victim of its own success and a credit to advanced medical techniques and medication.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10979468)

I think the NHS has worse problems than NHS tourists, TBH. They are a speck in the ocean compared to the increasing burden of "legitimate" patients who don't take personal responsibility for maintaining their own health.

Originally Posted by not2old (Post 10979509)

from the Guardian 24 Oct 2013

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2...ons-nhs-health

"Medical tourism is a lucrative source of income for the NHS, according to a major new study that contradicts many of the assumptions behind the government's announcement that it will clamp down on foreigners abusing the health service.

Eighteen hospitals – those deemed most likely to be making money from overseas patients – earned £42m in 2010, according to researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and York University. Medical tourists spent an estimated £219m on hotels, restaurants, shopping and transport in the UK.

The researchers also found that more people leave the UK seeking medical treatment abroad than arrive in this country for care: about 63,000 people from the country travelled to hospitals and clinics abroad in 2010, while considerably fewer, about 52,000 people, came here"

Originally Posted by HighCaper (Post 10979523)

What a load of nonsense ! The only reason British people would leave the UK for medical treatment is if it's cosmetic surgery or fertility treatment etc that they can't get on the NHS and is cheaper elsewhere. Thats my opinion.

Originally Posted by HighCaper (Post 10979523)

What a load of nonsense ! The only reason British people would leave the UK for medical treatment is if it's cosmetic surgery or fertility treatment etc that they can't get on the NHS and is cheaper elsewhere. Thats my opinion.

Originally Posted by Bud the Wiser (Post 10979162)

Are you sure? Isn't there something referred to as the 'postcode lottery'?

Mind you I hope you're right. I'd hate to see the NHS start to go the same way as the American system.

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 10977164)

We've been discussing G.M. foods, I live near the Washington state border, right now there is an initiative on the ballot #522 to change labels on food products that have Genetically Modified contents.

The Major chemical companies don't want this, they have been running advertising saying this will increase the price of food, these companies have spent $23 million to scare Washington people with their adverts.

The people who want food labeling have spent $6 Million to spread their message, according to poles it could go either way.

Why spend $23 million in one state, I'm sure they are worried this issue would spread across the USA.

Originally Posted by not2old (Post 10979527)

I wonder if & the reason why?

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/907.aspx...CategoryID=159

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 10979962)

Just to let you know the chemical companies won, only 6% of the money spent on this initiative came from Washington State.

Apparently California went thru this too, The Chemical companies spent 47 Million in that election, Something tells me they are scared, why else would they be willing to spend so much money...

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 10979960)

I dont speak from personal experience, I was told about this by my cousin who is a counciller in the Notts area, he was saying a family member could sometimes get an operation quicker if they were willing to travel, he added most people dont want to leave their comfort zone...

I've heard of the postcode lottery and can only assume it means some people live in areas with better NHS care... please correct me if I'm wrong...

Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 10979993)

Yes it got defeated here.

We had the same scaremongering ads with horrified mum looking at high prices in the supermarket :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 10980253)

One thing that has not been said here regarding operations and waiting times,
the NHS will not give anyone a knee replacement or hip replacement if they are too heavy, these people are put on an indefinite waiting list until they loose a certain amount of weight, I do speak with some experience, one of my Mum's lady friends is not too old, she is in her late 60's but is considered obeste, and to be fair she is very large, looks like I would say about 60 or 70 pounds over weight, the NHS gave her a minimum weight loss that she has to loose before she will be allowed an operation on her hip and knee, she keeps complaining and says she finds it very hard to loose any weight at all!!!!
But of course she can have the operations if she goes private and pays for it out of her own pocket!!!!

Originally Posted by islandwoman120 (Post 10978510)

I understand about your medical fears - but it very much depends on where you live. Some areas have long waiting lists, some don't. It also depends on the severity of your need - if it is life-threatening you would be given priority.

Originally Posted by chris955 (Post 10980375)

I reckon that is fair enough, in most cases obesity is self inflicted and if you want to have a major operation and weight is going to be a major factor in your recovery then as I say it is fair enough.

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 10980253)

One thing that has not been said here regarding operations and waiting times,
the NHS will not give anyone a knee replacement or hip replacement if they are too heavy, these people are put on an indefinite waiting list until they loose a certain amount of weight, I do speak with some experience, one of my Mum's lady friends is not too old, she is in her late 60's but is considered obeste, and to be fair she is very large, looks like I would say about 60 or 70 pounds over weight, the NHS gave her a minimum weight loss that she has to loose before she will be allowed an operation on her hip and knee, she keeps complaining and says she finds it very hard to loose any weight at all!!!!
But of course she can have the operations if she goes private and pays for it out of her own pocket!!!!

Originally Posted by mikelincs (Post 10980675)

Not in all cases, if you have severe arthritis, then it is very difficult to exercise to lose weight as the normal methods of walking, cycling etc visits to the gym are not possible.

Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 10980809)

Obesity is often a factor in infertility, too, but some obese women will continue to demand IVF.

Originally Posted by rebs (Post 10980824)

As will women with low BMIs which can also be a factor in fertility.

Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 10980809)

Obesity is often a factor in infertility, too, but some obese women will continue to demand IVF.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10980880)

Can you get baldness treatment on the NHS?

Originally Posted by rebs (Post 10980888)

Only if your BMI is within acceptable values :p

Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 10980894)

I think the point is not to punish people, but make them aware that the treatment may not be successful.

Originally Posted by Englishmum (Post 10980367)

This is why the NHS doctors do not want to operate on your mum's friend unless she loses weight (the link has some technical terms but you will get the gist of it):

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/227108.php

Originally Posted by cheers (Post 9322200)

The very little bit I know about this subject is that all manangement is under the gun to increase sales. If their sales go down then they are out of a job. Up at the top the CEOs have to perform for the stockholders or they get bounced. Think of it as a game that the kids play on their computers and they thrive to win. Well thats that side of the story looking at the other side. Employees are just a means to atchieve sales and they have to work hours at any time of the day This is a big thing to me that I remember in 'England' in my day that shops were closed on Sunday and this allowed people to get together as family and friends and plan for that day, now I'm afraid that the businesses want to be open 24 hours so as to increase sales again. Shops use to close at 5:30 or 6pm and the employees had a life! You should hear the Americans scream because they can't shop 24 hours a day in England like 'back home' its so inconvenient for them! I always think of the employee side. Sorry. Some shops use to close at 1pm on Saturday and the employees could go to the match or ?? I think that was a long time ago because they went to early closing on Wednesday so to be open all day on Saturday. My point is family and culture was important and unfortunately they are taking the American view that if your family gets in the way of your job then get a divorce!

OK vote for me if you agree! Family and culture is more important than materialism and convenience in shopping(higher sales).

I'm really not this hostile but I do have my opinions.

Yesterday we saw the hostility to Tesco in Bristol and I was caught in between because I hate, hate violence against the police and property period. On the other had we have Tesco who in my opinion go around and grease hands to open up all over, pay low wages (so I'm told) and they end up ruining towns and villages by closing down the neighborhood shops that people could walk to.

and furthermore its all Dunrovins fault:lol::lol:

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 10982272)

cheers you have got my vote for sure!!! and if you ever want to run for senator, remember you are never too old, we need people like you to change the way things are!!! ;)

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10982447)

Wh ...?

Where did you get that post from Cheers? I must have missed that one - or is it a really old one? Not sure what I did to create mayhem in the retail industry ... :ohmy:

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 10983551)

Tomorrow night is the last episode of Downton Abbey for all us lot who are already in UK :(

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 10983547)

Yes dunroving it is an old post of cheers I dug up from way back, Just thought it was an interesting subject, the short reference to you at the end was just banter, a little lightheartedness, humor,

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10983574)

Already? Is there going to be a Christmas special like last year? If so, I hope they don't have any more nasty surprises planned.

Must say that after the shocker a few weeks back, they haven't been too sensationalist but I do feel that the stories are being tweaked just to satisfy the American audience. :thumbdown: