Thoughts on 24 hours in A&E and some NHS reform proposals

I watched 24 hours in A&E last week and was shocked at some of the things the staff at King's College Hospital in Southwark, South London have to put up with.

Given the horror stories we hear about care in some NHS hospitals, it's good to see there are some dedicated staff out there.

I was thinking how some people do waste the NHS' time, costing both money and precious seconds that could be used to save a life.

Why should I have to pay around £100 each time I need a new pair of glasses, or someone else have to pay prescription charges, but a Friday night party type who has had too much to drink get free treatment?

I would propose the following:

Each person who needs hospital or paramedic treatment because of their drinking who is not an alcoholic should recieve a bill afterwards based on the salary they are earning (£10 means more to someone on minimum wage than someone on £60,000).

At the time, the paramedic or hospital should try to locate either something with their name and address, get them to give this (risk of a false one) or get the police to do a search.

Then, a week afterwards they would be sent a bill from the hospital. Failure to pay
within 30 days would mean the amount would go up by £5, and then a £5 for every fortnight after that the bill was unpaid.

If on benefits,or earning under £14,000: £20.

If earning £14,000-£20,000: £30.

If earning £20,000-£30,000: £50.

If £30,000 or above: £80.

I would also propose the same for drug addicts.

For those who injured themselves while breaking the law:

If on benefits,or earning under £14,000: £80.

If earning £14,000-£20,000: £130.

If earning £20,000-£30,000: £150.

If £30,000 or above: £180.

Secondly, I would like to see an offence of interfering with the duties of a member of the emergency services or medical worker (such as not going out the room after being asked to again and again) which could result in a fine up to £300 or 200 hours community service.

Thirdly, the hospital should have the option of filming the behavior of gang members or people escorted by police to the hospital, and if the hospital is happy to do so any footage of criminal behavior should be added to the charges against them.

Why aren't people on either sides of the cuts debate proposing solutions like this, alternate ways to cut the deficit that don't hurt the poor?

They are to busy shouting "No cuts aside from Trident*!" or "These cuts are needed. There is no money left. End of"

*I support cutting Trident, it's just that the defence budget isn't the only area where alternate cuts can be made.