Do we need to raise taxes to fund the NHS?

I was reading the article below and I thought "yes" it would be a good idea to raise taxes to help fund the overstretched NHS. Maybe even use some of the money we will save from being in the EU if that money was actually to become available in the future.

With advancements in medical technology and people living longer as a result means that it is just going to get more and more expensive for the NHS to provide us all with adequate care.

Having said that it could be said that the management of the NHS could be improved and money saved that way

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37208695

From my own experience I can see that the NHS is badly managed, the wife has been waiting two years now for an operation, it has been cancelled twice now the day before the operation. That means we have both booked time off work without reason, very inconvenient. Just recently she had another pre-op appointment at a local private hospital, she turned up and the hospital had not been informed by the NHS that she was going to have her operation done there, she has now been referred back to the original NHS hospital.

I think they need to get their act together

Yes, it needs more money, and yes, it needs a thorough overhaul.

But on te bright side it is actually quite cost effective when compared internationally - the Americans spend twice what we do, per head, and get no better results.

Too true!

Why not aim to reduce taxes (NI), employ staff directly, and get the NHS working properly.

NHS has been mismanaged for years, way to many "managers" bought in at the expense of front line stuff. Contracts given to companies that bleed it dry. Successive governments have been mishandling the NHS for decades, give it another 5 and it'll be fully privatised. Raising taxes won't solve anything in my mind just encourage more waste / mismanagement.

But this is the stupid thing. They should be making the medical profession more attractive to people. Why pay £50/hr to someone from an agency when you could put that money towards a pay rise for regular staff and training up new staff. It makes the mind boggle how incompetently run the NHS is as whole and its a testament to the actual front line staff that they even manage to do their jobs and provide a service in these conditions.

It might be a good idea to stop the food and beverage industry from running this country too.

Slap some proper taxes on 'garbage' food and drink... if people are too stupid to take care of their own health.

How many more fat slobs do I have to try to pass on narrow pavements and shop aisles each day, or hogging seats and time in the doctor's surgery ?

Speaking as one of the fat slobs you refer to, I'd like to point out that I haven't needed to visit the doctor's surgery in the last dozen years.

Perhaps we can have a cull of all those who do need to visit the medical centre. Old people for a kick off eh? Pfft! All those titanium hips and knee joints must cost an absolute fortune, and they're popping pills like there's no tomorrow (perhaps because if they don't, there will be no tomorrow for them!)

And while we're at it, there are a growing number of people who indulge in all manner of physical activity, and twang one of their overstretched tendons, or explode a knee joint, or suffer a strain-induced hernia.

All of the above represent a massive drain on the NHS. But leave the sporty ones alone for now Graham59 - and make a note that once we've knocked off all the fatties, boozers and puffers, and shoveled all the old folk off their mortal coils, we need to make a start on the joggers, footballers, gym bunnies and such.

By the way..... how often do you visit the doctor's surgery?

Just being curious *sharpens pencil*

Well of course I knew somebody would come on to defend themselves.

Doesn't alter my opinion one jot. If the cap fits, etc.

The last time I visited my doctor (not that it is anyone's business) was to avail of a free health test offered to me.
Other than that, I have no need of a doctor's attention.

I neither drink nor smoke, in case it is of interest... eat properly, and exercise every day.
Pretty much common sense stuff, I'd have thought. My whole family have always done the same. All are in good health, including my slim, fit, 89 year-old mother, who still takes care of herself and can be seen walking around the market town where she lives, shopping trolley in tow.

Of course any of us can be unlucky and be struck down with illness at any time, but we also have a 'duty of care' (popular buzz expression now) to ourselves. That is my point.

I think that's the point I was trying to make. The cap doesn't fit. Being overweight doesn't always mean unhealthy.

But of course, this won't alter your opinion one jot either, as you will have no doubt already taken your 'sanctimonious git' pill and be impervious to any alternative points of view.

Just curious ,how did you manage to asses the recent hogging of seats and doctors time (other than media reports)if youve only recently been to the doctors once?

How do you know the earth is not flat ?

Please don't mistake me for a fool.

Sorry, with your rudeness you have lost any debate there might have been... and my respect.

So, nothing to do with the increased demand for NHS services ?

Increased demand because of immigration and new medical technology certainly must have a bearing on the service.

...And you of course would be the judge of that too. My rudeness was in response to your own, which no doubt comes across to others as you tut your way along the High Street and sigh loudly in exasperation at all the tubby folk in your doctor's surgery.

You can generalise all you like, and make all the assumptions about people based on your own prejudice, but don't expect meekness and platitudes in response. What you said was offensive and ignorant.