The Two-Tier NHS
- This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 2 months ago by
.
Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
-
Posts
-
Sally Armstrong took her 16-year-old son for his first check-up after the lockdown rules began to ease, she was shocked to discover that he needed nine fillings. She was equally stunned when her dentist told her that coronavirus restrictions meant the work could not be carried out on the NHS – but that he could do it privately. The treatment, which would usually be free because of her son’s age, would cost her £1,250.So why are some services being offered to patients who are prepared to go private, but not by the same dentist on the NHS? The menu of procedures which are allowed on the NHS are set out in the statement of dental remuneration. The number of procedures on that list has been cut from 600 to 80 due to the Covid restrictions.NHS dentists can currently offer a limited range of services such as oral health checks and advice, X-rays, simple extractions and simple denture repairs. They are allowed to offer temporary fillings – but only in an emergency, if the patient is in pain. However, that restriction does not apply to the private sector.Personally i lame insurance if you look at the rise in private treatment and the push for patients to take insurance out. Same with vets…
Yes , it’s because dentists (and doctors not directly employed by the NHS such as consultants and GPS) are “independent contractors”, ie profit-seeking businesses, and that’s what profit-seeking business do in any way they can. It’s called “private enterprise” and is a basic form of the capitalist system. And like all businesses one of the risks they take is being found out if they break the law or bend the rules as many do from time to time;
Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.