Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

.

i think i am right in saying that private health insurance actually subsidises NHS in some way

We have a private hospital near by (Sawbridgeworth) and they in lull times take in NHS patients.

Which I have been told keeps my costs down.

Cynic,

Depends.

The majority of medical staff in PHI are trained in the NHS at expense to the public.

The majority of the their medical school studies were/are paid for or subsidised by the public purse.

Complex ongoing medical care is often renegaded on by PHI "protection" and returned to "public care".

Many with ongoing medical conditions needing drugs, have them provided by the NHS at considerable costs.

Nothing is ever simple!

And private care subsidises the NHS by taking the strain off the NHS. It also allows doctors to earn a bit more, which may stop them going abroad.

dream did look at insurance years ago and found out that the older you get the more it goes up
and over 70 it is to much for most and stop paying .
better to invest your cash and see it grow till you need to use it
that was my thinking .

Fred - i have a feeling your post would not entirely stand up to close scrutiny ..... in particular, "the majority of the their medical school studies were/are paid for or subsidised by the public purse" ...... most assuredly no more so than applies to anyone who goes/went to university for any course - even that valuable degree in media studies at thames university!

this is an interesting bit too - "many with ongoing medical conditions needing drugs, have them provided by the NHS at considerable costs" ..... perhaps so, but if i have been putting money into the system, why should i not benefit just as with a pension? ..... on the other hand, if one opts out of the state education system, then one has contributed for zero return - or at least in a direct sense

dream the pot that i invest for medical if needed is MRW put in 10k back in 1986 or
there abouts and put in 1k ever year plus the divs .
and do not touch it .
it works for me sp was 320p now 254p div around 11p
under valued share .

I also give blood now ever 12 weeks and have been given blood since i was 18
cynic fred do you give blood .

Yes agree with your post 20476, the insurance is expensive as you reach 70yrs.
Chances are unless very lucky thats the time of life you may well need to call on it.
We all have different thoughts but I like to be covered for the worst, as a major heart op will eat into your savings unless you join the NHS queue.

dream did you know that CIDER WILL KEEP YOUR BLOOD VESSELS CLEAR
drink two pints aweek . good info it cleans them out .

no i don't give blood and for no good reason, unless you count paying tax as that

DC - in an emergency situation, the NHS will be (should be) as good as private, as you will get pretty much the same specialist etc ..... mind you, maidstone general is probably not the ideal example, as i think i am right in saying that that hospital has the worst survival rate of any hospital in the country - more precisely, maidstone & tunbridge wells nhs trust

dream did you know that CAFFEINE destroys the prostaite
best avoided that is what my speacialist told me years ago
chocolate is bad for men full of caffeine .fizz pop avoid drink
beer or water .the bladder will work better

Cynic and Hays,

Think!

The true cost of private medicine is subsidised out of the public purse, because the private sector devoids itself of responsibility for many ongoing chronic conditions. (When the purse of private patient runs out. Check your insurance plans.)

The majority of pure medical research is carried out in the Medical Schools. Pharmacological research is carried out initially by Private companies, but evaluated by the Medical Schools and NHS.

Etc. or even Ect.

In general, education is paid for out of the public purse.

Those who are trained, or educated generally contribute back to society by their later functions in society, whether in the private or public sectors.

(This is general can be seen for the "public good".)

It may be "sensible" for those in the "private sector" to contribute more than they already do to the "public purse".

Just read yesterday coffee is good for you. Perhaps there is no harm having things in moderation. ( Another day and another report will say coffee is bad for you)

dream drink de caf
myself i prefer the beer and cider
will be in the pub or club by 3pm

Depends on whether it is a bucketful, or a cupful and whether you drink it, or put your head in it.

I won't go there then cynic.

dream its like putting good money into a pension very silly
has you have no control i want to be in charge that is the only
way to make sure it is invested properly
that is why i retired at 54 years of age now 65 .
and it is still my money and my family can cash it in
only fools put money in to a fund managers hands .
to be rpped off
FRIENDS PROVIDENT I TOOK A REAL GOOD LOOK AT THEM
VERY POORLY RUN COMPANY best avoid