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Off Topic The Politics Thread

Discussion in 'Queens Park Rangers' started by Stroller, Jun 25, 2015.

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Should the UK remain a part of the EU or leave?

Poll closed Jun 24, 2016.
  1. Stay in

    56 vote(s)
    47.9%
  2. Get out

    61 vote(s)
    52.1%
  1. kiwiqpr

    kiwiqpr Barnsie Mod

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    723 million pounds
    is that all
     
    #6681
  2. kiwiqpr

    kiwiqpr Barnsie Mod

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    The move is part of efforts to reduce the £300m bill for "wasted" medication, which is prescribed but not used.

    In the same speech, he said missed GP appointments cost the taxpayer £162m and missed hospital appointments cost £750m.

    723 million pounds
    300 million pounds
    162 million pounds
    750 million pounds

    starting to build now

    how many nurses would that pay for
    how many operations would it pay for
     
    #6682
  3. TheBigDipper

    TheBigDipper Well-Known Member

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    This has nothing to do with the NHS budget, because the NHS doesn't control who enters the country and isn't being directed by the government to refuse treatment to those who don't have the right to it.

    It shouldn't be too hard to stop non-residents from entering the country without personal health insurance cover that guarantees payment for their treatment if they need any whilst they're here. To check that probably requires money to increase Border Control resources. Possibly more money than we're spending treating the "health tourists".

    So, the government chooses to let the NHS take the hit because it's cheaper for the country to just swallow it rather than stop it.

    And there's another scapegoat issue to use when they need it.
     
    #6683
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  4. rangercol

    rangercol Well-Known Member

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    Spot on.

    Governments of all colours have always managed to find money for bale outs and war, but the NHS is ALWAYS left short, both in terms of management and funds.
    (**** me.............I've come over all left wing!! Who'd have thunk it?)
     
    #6684
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  5. QPR Oslo

    QPR Oslo Well-Known Member

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    Visitors already need travel insurance to get a visa for the UK, plus a hell of a lot more.
     
    #6685
  6. TheBigDipper

    TheBigDipper Well-Known Member

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    I didn't know that. I'm assuming you mean insurance against medical expenses, not just for lost luggage. So where do these "health tourists" come from that people are being wound up about, I wonder? Or are they just running up a bill and then failing to pay it and leaving the country again?
     
    #6686

  7. QPR Oslo

    QPR Oslo Well-Known Member

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    Even for a short term tourist visa you need normal travel insurance which covers medical expenses, death or disablity due an accident, and evacuation or repatriation cover.
     
    #6687
  8. rangercol

    rangercol Well-Known Member

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    Does this apply to visitors from the EU?
     
    #6688
  9. sb_73

    sb_73 Well-Known Member

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    I don't think so, we have a reciprocal central arrangement whereby money is transferred between governments based on number of visitors/residents. So we pay Spain quite a lot, and I suppose Poland pays us a bit. Whether any of this money ever gets to the NHS I don't know. But after Brexit I suppose we would need to ensure that visitors from the EU, whether on holiday or for work, are properly covered, which may point to visas, unless we keep the current arrangement through the negotiation.

    My info may be out of date, but when I worked in the NHS you could claim for any attendance in A&E which wasn't local - so the unfortunate victim's local health authority would pay for treatment if you injured yourself away from home. But the paperwork and transaction cost was so great that it was rarely followed through with. It may be that currently non EU users of the service are frequently not registered as foreign - you can only get an outpatients appointment through being registered with a GP, which would imply an NI number and permanent address, and they tend to treat whatever turns up in A&E even if you can't give a GP registration.
     
    #6689
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  10. QPR Oslo

    QPR Oslo Well-Known Member

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    I was talking about visitors from countries the UK require to have a visa.

    Anyone living in an EEA country and with a social security (NHI) number there, can get a European Health Insurance Card from their national health authority, free in Norway at least. The card confirms the holder is entitled to necessary health care when staying in another EEA country. It says cover is provided in accordance with the rules of the host country. Also that the card is not valid if the purpose of the visit is to receive treatment. So it's a good idea to get one of these if you travel in Europe, for the next 2 or 3 years anyway! I remember the card gave free treatment in Greece, while you had to pay, and try to claim a refund if you only had an insurance company''s travel insurance card there.
     
    #6690
  11. sb_73

    sb_73 Well-Known Member

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    Good reminder Oslo, just had a look at my EHIC card and it expires on Boxing Day. Better get a new one before they are denied to us.
     
    #6691
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  12. rangercol

    rangercol Well-Known Member

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    Yep. Mine's in date for our imminent trip to the Canaries.
     
    #6692
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  13. sb_73

    sb_73 Well-Known Member

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    Have a great time mate, I'm sure your EHIC card will be an irrelevance.
     
    #6693
  14. rangercol

    rangercol Well-Known Member

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    Cheers.

    I do hope so. Not going till Friday.
     
    #6694
  15. Sooperhoop

    Sooperhoop Well-Known Member

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    Col going to the Canaries? You couldn't make it up...<laugh>

    Have a great time anyway...
     
    #6695
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  16. finglasqpr

    finglasqpr Well-Known Member

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    We must all chip in and buy him a Norwich shirt to wear on the flight. Then he'll look like a proper Canary.

    Enjoy your hols Col. Which part are you going to??
     
    #6696
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  17. QPR Oslo

    QPR Oslo Well-Known Member

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    How were Mexico and Cuba, plus a bit of blow I gather? Hope you didn't get hurt.
     
    #6697
  18. finglasqpr

    finglasqpr Well-Known Member

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    Still in Mexico. Arrive home Friday. Love Mexico (it helps when you stay in nice gaffs), not too keen on Cuba although I loved the old architecture and old American cars there. No affect from the hurricane. Just a bit windy and rough waves the day it entered Florida which was the nearest point to me in Havana.
     
    #6698
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  19. QPR Oslo

    QPR Oslo Well-Known Member

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    Good to hear! I loved Mexico too though long time ago. Where abouts in Mexico are you?
     
    #6699
  20. finglasqpr

    finglasqpr Well-Known Member

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    I am currently in Puerto Vallarta. I was also in Monterrey and Mexico City. Loved all of them to be honest. The trick with places like this is to pay the extra and stay in nice places. I checked into one 3 star place which I thought was a bargain when I seen it on the net. I legged it after an hour as it was filthy and I had Delhi belly.
     
    #6700
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