One example of many within the NHS

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Gobbiner17

It's the old matrons I was thinking about, just a few for the whole hospital. That was when the NHS was admired all over the world.

Kinda like Hattie Jacques, eh

[Margaret Pilkington]

No Eric, much more formidable that Hattie.

While I don't remember the Matrons, my colleague who is the same age entered nursing straight from school.......was a cadet, before going on to do her training.......she remembers Matron vividly, after being sent to report to her for breaking a thermometer.
She had to pay for the thermometer....the princely sum of one shilling!

[Barrie Yates]

Originally Posted by jaysay

Don't think that's right Barry, I know the bread Joan gets on script is by a firm called Juvella, but she has had others, but Juvella is by fare the best. as for the 8 loaves at a time it seems strange, 8 loaves is the monthly limit, can little pom not arrange with her doc to get a script for 4 every two weeks as opposed to just one monthly for eight, just a thought

Tried that Jay, maybe something can be done when we get with the new doctor - we went into Morrisons in Blackburn today, Warburtons is £2.49 but quality much better that the Juvella.

[MargaretR]

It seems that costs of gluten free prescriptions (as per opening post) was incorrect.
Welsh Government denies Tory claim of £20 NHS loaf | Healthcare Network | Guardian Professional

"However, the Welsh Government responded with a statement which says that Millar is making an inaccurate claim because it regarded "each item" as a prescription and not a loaf. It said the actual cost of a single loaf of gluten-free bread is about £2.82."

"The Welsh Government also confirmed that it issues gluten free madeira cake on NHS prescription at a cost of £2.82 per cake."

'Let them eat cake' - it's the same price!

I do not regard bread and cake as essential for a healthy diet.
So I see no reason for it to be provided on prescription(free).

If you really want it, you can make your own.
Doves Farm Gluten Free White Bread Flour (1Kg) in Tesco | mySupermarket

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I do not regard bread and cake as essential for a healthy diet. So I see no reason for it to be provided on prescription(free).

Bit harsh that isn't it ? It may not be essential,(in your opinion) but why should some folk be denied something because of an ailment which is not of their making. Especially when you consider money being given out hand over fist for other (in my opinion) less deserving cases such as Junkies getting Drug substitutes ? They brought their problems on through their own actions, bet their "Daily bread" cost a tad more than 2.98.

[MargaretR]

By that misguided logic, persons with peanut allergy should be provided with free alternatives (eg. cashew, almond nut butters) so they need not feel 'deprived'.

If you consider bread to be the 'staff of life' then pay for it, and don't expect the NHS to subsidise your diet.

[DaveinGermany]

Eh, sorry you've lost me there MargR, can't follow your connection with nuts in comparison with gluten intolerance. You even mentioned you have a cousin with the same condition, so you'd be all for them being denied it too ?

It's not that I consider bread to be "the staff of life" & I couldn't do without it for a while (believe me I have done). It's more to do with what the NHS considers in the patients interest & after all most folk have paid into the system for many a year, so why shouldn't they get a modicum of return ? That's the whole reason of paying your dues isn't it ?

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

By that misguided logic, persons with peanut allergy should be provided with free alternatives (eg. cashew, almond nut butters) so they need not feel 'deprived'.

If you consider bread to be the 'staff of life' then pay for it, and don't expect the NHS to subsidise your diet.

Some times you do amaze me, never have I heard so much narrow minded sanctimonious drivel in my life, if bloody alcoholics can get a day allowance for booze and drug addicts get methadone, for self inflicted disorders, why shouldn't people with a complaint, they have no control over, not get a subsidy, one of these days something like this may come and bite you on the backside, please don't moan when it does, always remember there but for the grace of god go I

[MargaretR]

I have done some websearching re coeliac disease and on several sites it is stated that it affects one in ten of the population, most are undiagnosed.

Hyndburn's population is 81496 - so there are 8,149 residents who potentially qualify for a free (or heavily subsidised) weekly ration of bread, cake and biscuits.
Maybe chemists should expand their premises to accommodate the bread queues which will result.
The potential for bankrupting the NHS is there, is it not?

Coeliac disease is an immune system disorder, but it is not the only such disorder, other food allergies are not given the same special treatment.
A person with any immune disorder adapts their lifestyle to avoid whatever triggers symptoms = sensible action.

Maybe the alcoholics are saying amongst themselves 'It's Ok to get alcohol subsidy because the coeliacs get their bread subsidy.' - I suggest that unsubsidised abstinence by both groups would be a cure.

My cousin was disappointed with the gluten free bread, and the loaves she made herself, so opted not to eat it = sensible action.

If a coeliac considers that the need to eat bread cake and biscuits is essential to survival, then they should not expect to be fed free by taxpayers.

I have reactions to many items sold in supermarkets, and have to source alternatives at my own expense. I do not expect the NHS to provide them.

[DaveinGermany]

To use your own turn of phrase;

Originally Posted by MargaretR

By that misguided logic

Originally Posted by MargaretR

The potential for bankrupting the NHS is there, is it not?

If a coeliac considers that the need to eat bread cake and biscuits is essential to survival, then they should not expect to be fed free by taxpayers.

I have reactions to many items sold in supermarkets, and have to source alternatives at my own expense. I do not expect the NHS to provide them.

Yes it is, but the same can be said about any form of practice authorised through the NHS. What is at issue here is what is deemed as treatment & prevention hence the "Prescription" your various ills if so classified by the NHS would also be treated due to your entitlement.

As to being fed by the taxpayer aren't those in receipt not also at present or in the past taxpayers, so in the end they are paying for it themselves.

[steeljack]

Think half of these "new" diseases/ailments are invented by the Medical profession to justify their existance , everyone is now a "victim" even the obese , if your fat STOP sodding eating. Does anyone accept any personal responsibility for anything anymore

agree with MargaretR

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by steeljack

Does anyone accept any personal responsibility for anything anymore

No I don't think as many do as used to. But there you go, successive Governments taking away responsibilities thereby forming a dependency culture where it's always someone else's fault.

But the issue is that of prevention rather than cure. I have no time for & agree totally that for those whose illnesses are brought about by their own stupidity & lack of self control should be left sort themselves out, whereas those whose condition is not of their own making & beyond their control should be supported.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by steeljack

Think half of these "new" diseases/ailments are invented by the Medical profession to justify their existance , everyone is now a "victim" even the obese , if your fat STOP sodding eating. Does anyone accept any personal responsibility for anything anymore

agree with MargaretR

Your as nutty as she is then SJ, unfortunately you can't legislate for your health, Margaret is so bloody simplistic in her attitude to anybody who doesn't conform to her way of life. It was once suggested that I should pay for my own oxygen, wonderful. Not everybody can abandon conventional medicine, in a lot of cases because they can't afford to, and can't site about all day surfing the internet for medical solutions. I once tried a natural treatment for psoriasis, which was recommended on here,(and wasn't cheap either) unfortunately I was allergic to it, so not all these so call "natural" remedies work, and people who usually need them most can afford to find out.

[MargaretR]

Coeliac disease is when gluten causes damage to the intestines.
I happen to have intestines damaged by C-Difficile (was hospitalised in 1980) which resulted from prescription of a (now banned) antibiotic.

Because of decades of frequent diarrheoa I once paid for my own coeliac test
Biotech Biocard Celiac Test - Boots
..which showed negative.

I have learned what not to eat, and take vit/mineral supplements to compensate for my intestines' low capacity to absorb nutrients from food.

I do not expect the NHS to subsidise my food - even though I have this condition due to medical negligence.

PS I have never suggested that you pay for your own oxygen. I did note that you blame your poor health on decades of smoking.

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I do not expect the NHS to subsidise my food - even though I have this condition due to medical negligence.

How can it be subsidising if it's a prescription ! As to Medical negligence it's a completely different issue.