NHS Hospitals Charging!?
I recently visited a friend in hospital, who had gone in for an operation on a life threatening condition - something inside had simply burst and the repurcussions could have killed him!
Of the medical services themselves, including the staff, I have nothing but respect. For example, what would have happened my friend should he have fallen ill in a country without such up to date skills and equipment. My issue is more with the 'system' that houses all the skills and equipment!
My 'questioning' began when we (along with everone else) were charged for parking. I believe that the 3 pounds was for up to 3 hours, but the visiting times were for a maximum of 1.5 hours! This was the first of many 'additional' charges for a selection of things across the board.
One basic example was that there was a TV by his bedside, which needed a card to make it work - several pounds per day. Then when we ourselves went for a scan of our pre-born baby, we were again charged for the parking and then charged for the paper printout of the scan, which was another 6 pounds.
I appreciate that they provide a great service which can also be crucially important, but should they really be charging for these things? Although I am not a fan of 'rights', this 'PC' society has made internet access a human right - so where does all this additional charging for rights come in?
