What happens in any card based system when the patient is truly sick,
unconscious, demented, unable to obtain a card, had their house just burned
down etc, etc? It's a serious problem, which we have here in Ontario.
The bureaucrats who plan health systems assume that everyone is just like
them, planning appointment well in advance and presenting their cards as
they arrive well in advance for their appointment.
If only life was so easy
Bob Frankford
>On Thu 19 Sep, Ahmad Risk wrote:
>
>> Trims writes:
>>
>> > Quite apart from the politics it gets complicated when you sit
>> > down and try to work out the details. (Hotch's "Total utter
>> > complete fundholding system" has similar complications).
>>
>> The French system seems to work fine. c. 10 pounds up front,
>> collect from social security later.
>>
>> The infrastructure of benefits payments is already there,
>> ie, no new structures.
>>
>> As for collection at the Surgery, a swipe card linked to the
>> paymasters will do just fine! No cash, no admin, no crime, no
>> fuss!
>
>Okay, so let's think this through.
>
>Who devises, designs, implements, and pays for the swipe card system?
>How much does one of those networked retail outlet tills cost?
>
>What about patients (sorry, customers) who receive means tested
>benefits? I suppose they pay five pounds up front which they later
>reclaim via their benefit payment? Has anyone told Social Security
>about this? And if 50% of your patients are on benefits you'll
>still be collecting a significant wad of CASH.
>
>If benefits recipients just have to present their card (as in
>Australia) where's the disincentive?
>
>Sorry Ahmad, its a headache whichever way you slice it.
>
>
>Trims.
>
>
>______________________________________________________________________
>
>Dr Ian Trimble email: [log in to unmask]
>Sherwood Health Centre
>Elmswood Gardens Tel: +44 115 962 4516
>Nottingham NG5 4AD Fax: +44 115 985 7899
>______________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
>
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