Social Security Minister: Senator Paul Routier

[en830]

That's a little pedantic Eno, and overlooks the reality of the situation. If you're in Jersey and require an unexpected visit to the Doctor, you need the money sitting in your pocket. If you don't have money to spare, you ain't getting an appointment.

Despite us being a rich island, there are still people around who find themselves in the positions of having to avoid or delay visits to Doctors because they simply don't have the cash to spare when the need arises.

In the UK, you can walk into a medical centre and get seen by a Doctor that same day, without paying one single penny. You may want to say that service isn't free because it's paid for by taxation, but for the people who are using it without having to check their wallet upfront, it is "free".

Not sure why you consider my observation pedantic and immediately take up a defensive stance. All I was pointing out that the service in the UK is not free. For the person on £100 a week, they get clobbered £11.00 a week (£572 a year) for the privilege of getting "free" doctors visits. A UK resident would have to visit the doctor more than 9 times (going by my doctors rate) before he starts benefiting when compared to the Jersey system. They also get charged for prescriptions and more than likely have to pay the same for dental care, as we do, as NHS dentists are as rare as chickens teeth.

For the record you can get a doctors appointment on the same day in Jersey and don't have to have the money to hand. I've done this on many occasions. They send me a bill. Maybe you are not using the right doctor and should consider changing. In general I get seen by the doctor on time or at least within 10 minutes and usual the appointment will last 30 minutes. When I had cause to take my seriously ill "late" father in law to see his local doctor in the UK, we waited for over an hour and were only accorded 10 minutes of the doctors time.

I am also sure that it is against a Doctors ethics to refuse to see someone just because they don't have the money to hand. Most if not all will accommodate people paying as they can if the appropriate arrangements are made.

The Jersey system isn't without it's fault, we all know that. But the grass isn't necessarily greener in the UK.

I can see my karma rating (whatever it means) taking another negative hit.

[AHITS]

Not sure why you consider my observation pedantic and immediately take up a defensive stance.

For the record you can get a doctors appointment on the same day in Jersey and don't have to have the money to hand. I've done this on many occasions. They send me a bill. Maybe you are not using the right doctor and should consider changing. In general I get seen by the doctor on time or at least within 10 minutes and usual the appointment will last 30 minutes. When I had cause to take my seriously ill "late" father in law to see his local doctor in the UK, we waited for over an hour and were only accorded 10 minutes of the doctors time.

It wasn't defensive, I was just pointing out the reality for some people.

When it comes to paying for Doctors, I wasn't talking about my own situation because I haven't visited one since sometime around 1992! But I do know people who have had to work whilst unwell purely because they couldn't afford the Doctor's fee, because they were short of cash until payday next week or whenever.

[Malachi]

Have you not considered that maybe for people who are on low incomes and need a regular prescription (or prescriptions), the removal of that charge could make a big difference?

Yes, and I'm not arguing that people on low incomes should have to pay prescription charges, but why exempt everyone? Why give away £2.5 million instead of £500'000 or whatever it would cost to cap prescription charges for multiple prescriptions and/or make more people (but not everyone) exempt? I know that these aren't huge sums of money compared to what the States spends every year, but lack of attention to supposedly small sums like this is why so much money gets spent inefficiently.

[en830]

It wasn't defensive, I was just pointing out the reality for some people.

When it comes to paying for Doctors, I wasn't talking about my own situation because I haven't visited one since sometime around 1992! But I do know people who have had to work whilst unwell purely because they couldn't afford the Doctor's fee, because they were short of cash until payday next week or whenever.

Maybe if it happens again, suggest they speak to their doctor and explain the situation I'm sure that the doctor (more than likely their receptionist) will be understanding. (My wife has just pointed out that we have an unpaid bill for the doctor which dates back to the beginning of this month, oops)

[mac]

One thing about our health service over here is we don't have to play the post code lottery, one of the prescription medicines I have is very expensive and some local heatlh authoritys in the UK wouldn't provide it due to costs. So for that I consider myself very lucky.

[Jason the Maverick]

At the moment we don't.  Mind you, I guess if a new super drug came out, but proved to be expensive, I guess they can always raise GST.

[boatyboy]

Thanks to JEZINHO for pointing out that Paul Routier is up for election. David Cameron answering a question as to whether his MP's should tow the party line stated last night on tv, that he expects his MP's to use their conscience first, constituents interest second and finally tow the party line, sounds honourable to me.

So how much conscience does Paul Routier apply, please study his voting always with Walker and Le Suer, placed at social security and WEB as a puppet and obviously voted for the disgraceful GST. In a meeting will take the view of a civil servant before that of the public. If you think I am wrong check out his voting pattern. Civil servants nick name for him is the Labrador. As in go get,        I would rather vote for one.

[Eastern correspondent]

Prescription charges

Paul Routier claimed on Radio Jersey this morning that he was able to introduce free prescriptions for all.

They are not free, they have been paid for by the people of this island and from money collected by social security contributions.

Mr Rouier and his cronies are creating a means tested welfare system, people whp have the misfortune to claim welfare have virtually no incentive to obtain emplotment as soem calculations have suggested that they would only be better off by 6%.

This island has never had a culture of welfare but our Establishment politicians are creating one - VOTE OUT THE ESTABLISHMENT

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

Prescription charges

Paul Routier claimed on Radio Jersey this morning that he was able to introduce free prescriptions for all.

They are not free, they have been paid for by the people of this island and from money collected by social security contributions.

Mr Rouier and his cronies are creating a means tested welfare system, people whp have the misfortune to claim welfare have virtually no incentive to obtain emplotment as soem calculations have suggested that they would only be better off by 6%.

This island has never had a culture of welfare but our Establishment politicians are creating one - VOTE OUT THE ESTABLISHMENT

Used to be called "Socialist security" in the UK

[Eastern correspondent]

Your point is?

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

A very good one.

[Xenth]

yeah free prescriptions!!!!


Oh the doctors fees are now £36 per 10 second visit!!!!