Charging for Self-Inflicted Injuries/Illness...

wndsr

wndsr

wndsr

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Today I saw a status from somebody on Facebook (who I have now removed as I disagreed with their status and subsequent comments) that read something very similar to...

Had a great night last night, with the exception of getting so drunk I had to be taken to hospital but hey at least I saved £20 taxi fare
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It really got to me and made me think about how many people up and down the country have a similar "there are no consequences to my actions" mentality. I'm not exactly sure how much it would cost to have an ambulance dispatched to pick him up, get him to hospital, treat him, feed him, look after him but there is no doubt in my mind that regardless of the price it seems completely wrong that this person has not paid a penny towards the cost, nor seems to show any appreciation for the system he has so blatantly misused.

So my question is whilst we have a brilliant NHS in this country, would it be fair to expect people with self-inflicted illness or injury to contribute towards the cost of their treatment?
 
Depends on the self-inflicted problem. Doing woodwork and accidentally sawing your thumb off isn't the same as say, getting so drunk you need a stomach pump.

But if feasable this could save the NHS some money, and show people that their actions have consequences.
 
The question is, are they likely to do it again?

I remember hearing somewhere that stomach pumps are pretty much used to try and teach people a lesson. Not sure how true that is, though.
 
As a global catch all, then answer would have to be no.
Most accidents in general are 'self inflicted' to a greater or lesser extent.
In some instances help may also be more appropriate than trying to get payment.

As a result of being drunk etc then yes, maybe some system should be in place though.
Isn't there already something like this for road accidents or fires?
 
wndzr said:
So my question is whilst we have a brilliant NHS in this country, would it be fair to expect people with self-inflicted illness or injury to contribute towards the cost of their treatment?
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They do, it's called tax and national insurance (if they're working).
 
valkynaz said:
They do, it's called tax and national insurance (if they're working).
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Valid point, but to what extent should this cover them? Is it fair that somebody who chooses to do something to damage their health should be treated the same as somebody who doesn't?
 
wndzr said:
Valid point, but to what extent should this cover them? Is it fair that somebody who chooses to do something to damage their health should be treated the same as somebody who doesn't?
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Do you intend to take that up with: smokers, fat people, people who don't exercise, people who play sport, people who go abroad, people who use the roads, people who don't use sun cream, people who drink alcohol, etc. etc. etc. ?
 
There was something on the news recently (September) where drunks will have to pay for their own detox. Instead of arresting them with 1.5hrs of police paperwork and/or dispatching an ambulance, they're taken into these "sobering hubs" where they're taken care of until they sober up then the drunk has to foot the bill. Sure, I like my drink, probably too much, but if they're drinking into such a state, then it's their prerogative and they should pay.
 
Had a great night last night, with the exception of getting so drunk I had to be taken to hospital but hey at least I saved £20 taxi fare
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Since when does the hospital pay for a taxi to take you home after you're discharged?!

Or is he trying to say the hospital is closer to his house than the pub he got ****ed in?

Or is the hospital within walking distance?

Or did he get a friend to lift him from the hospital?

Or is he merely trying to be a comedian and isn't serious?

I just don't get it, and I don't want to either. Story is full of holes and should have been left on FB.

Not cool story bro.
 
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Completely agree with Monserrat. Make them pay if it's a consequence of their own inability to handle their drink.

If it's drink induced, pay a set fine.
 
IMO its not his fault, it is instead the fault of the person who either called the ambulance. Or decided taking him to hospital is the correct idea.

Now the other side is the real issue, drunk and shouting/abusive = arrested and fined, but a dude drunk of his face passed on on the floor is not bothering me.

And asim, i assume that he woke up in the morning so bus and train would be working..
 
platinum87 said:
IMO its not his fault, it is instead the fault of the person who either called the ambulance. Or decided taking him to hospital is the correct idea.

Now the other side is the real issue, drunk and shouting/abusive = arrested and fined, but a dude drunk of his face passed on on the floor is not bothering me.

And asim, i assume that he woke up in the morning so bus and train would be working..
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It is his fault, he chose to consume the quantity of alcohol/drugs that lead him to require hospital treatment. Unless you're suggesting he was force fed vodka...

My experience is that licence holder/bouncers, the Police, and Ambulance staff have a duty of care to someone who has gone passed the point of looking after themselves. Unconscious people, regardless of the cause, are at risk of choking. Drunks in particular since the alcohol not only reduces their ability to maintain their own airway but increases the chance they'll vomit. Not to mention the increased risk of assault, robbery, exposure, and accidental injury they are are at if left unsupervised. Often they cannot be left in the care of their friends because either their condition actually requires hospitalisation or(more commonly) their friends are too drunk themselves to be trusted to effectively care for them, leaving little choice but to remove the patient to hospital where their safety can be assured.

The problem is this country's attitude to alcohol and alcohol consumption. We don't seem to see it as a pleasant accompaniment to a meal,but rather as a tool of escapism to be used in much the same way as any other drug. Until we can sort this attitude we will continue to use Police and Ambulance time looking after those who can no longer look after themselves.
 
phonemonkey said:
It is his fault, he chose to consume the quantity of alcohol/drugs that lead him to require hospital treatment. Unless you're suggesting he was force fed vodka...
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He did not require any medical attention. That is my point and 99.999% of people like him did not require medical attention.
 
Nix said:
The question is, are they likely to do it again?

I remember hearing somewhere that stomach pumps are pretty much used to try and teach people a lesson. Not sure how true that is, though.
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I don't think people normally remember having their stomach pumped.
 
asim18 said:
Since when does the hospital pay for a taxi to take you home after you're discharged?!
.
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As a taxi driver I can assure you they do plenty if discharged patients get bundled into my cab every. Week on the NHS dime
 
233 said:
As a taxi driver I can assure you they do plenty if discharged patients get bundled into my cab every. Week on the NHS dime
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I don't believe you, having worked in A&E they only use patient transport service for the oldies and disabled, otherwise sort yourself out
 
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