Back in 1948 when the NHS was first created there were no charges for dentists, opticians or prescriptions. However, within a few years they were introduced. As the idea of the NHS is free treatment at the point of use then these charges go against that principle.

Do people think the charges should be scrapped. Personally i can see a good case for it. However, money spent on that would have to come from somewhere which may or may not be the NHS budget.

They should be kept, people who can afford to pay should pay something towards their treatment, the people who can't afford to already get everything free.

the whole NHS should be scrapped, its not really working now is it! Why not just pay insurance and when you go in to hospital they pay for your treatment!

Even if you manage to find an NHS dentist they charge you almost the same as a private dentist if you're working.

They shouldnt be scrapped, but modified yes.
Im asthmatic and will be for the rest of my life, I dont chose to be so why should I have to pay £12 odd every month for my inhalers?
It is a life threatening condition like diabetes so we should get our prescriptions free.

As Im a student nurse [skint as they come] I couldnt afford my prescription a couple of months ago which resulted in me having an asthma attack and spending the night in A&E. Any of you suffering from asthma will know how frighteneing an attack can be.

Why not put extra tax on unhealthy things like cigarettes to pay for the scrapping of the charges. It seems to make sense - charge more for unhealthy things and less (or nothing) for things that benefit health.

Maybe this idea should be extended even further with things such as over the counter medicines, tooth brushes/paste, sun block free on the NHS.


As a nation we would have to decide if this was something we are willing to consider and the price would be extra taxes on cigs, booze etc.

Originally posted by nick2
Even if you manage to find an NHS dentist they charge you almost the same as a private dentist if you're working.

How do you mean?

We have a private dentist who performs an NHS service, but the prices are very reasonable.

That means all the lazy scuzzies wouldnt have to lift a finger and get more for less.

Iam all for supporting our Pensioners who have worked all their lives and paid into the system but some people want everything for nothing.

Those that put something in get something out thats my motto

Originally posted by sam1984
They shouldnt be scrapped, but modified yes.
Im asthmatic and will be for the rest of my life, I dont chose to be so why should I have to pay £12 odd every month for my inhalers?

Wow, you get through a lot of inhalers, they usually last me a couple of months each. There is some scheme where you pay for a full years prescritions that can save you a lot of money.

Yeah i do get thru a lot! Im allergic to things too which sets it off so i have to use them a lot.

Did u know that people with Cystic Fibrosis dont get free prescriptions either? Apparently, because years ago people with CF didnt live as long as they do now, they stopped getting free prescriptions when out of education, but now they are living longer and our outdated system makes them pay for their treatment!

And Im training to be a nurse for the NHS! What am I doing? LOL

Who is going to pay for the NHS if no one is charged?

Do you think we should pay health care insurance instead of NI

Originally posted by nick2
They should be kept, people who can afford to pay should pay something towards their treatment, the people who can't afford to already get everything free.

I thought your NHS was completly free of any charge !

Hillary Clinton tried to get it in the US, (Ms Do-Gooder ) she got laughed right out of congress.

Pensioners here mostly have coverage but not on perscriptions they pay full price unless the drug comes in generic form.

I think the NHS will be the ruin of the UK in the future.

I thought this would be a good time to resurect this thread.