How have the mighty fallen? OT.

[June Hughes]

In message , The Reid writes

Sigh! Probably.

[June Hughes]

In message , Andy Hall writes

That is a load of old bullshit, as I suspect you know.

Excuses, excuses.

[Andy Hall]

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:24:02 +0100, The Reid wrote (in article ):

It isn't exception cases.

I'll give you four simple examples.

- Cases where a branded, but more expensive drug does a better job than a generic because of the filler material used and the effect that that has

- Blood glucose test strips for diabetics.

- Nasal CPAP equipment for sleep apnoea patients

- Herceptin for cancer patients

There are clinical justifications for all of these things and lack of prompt treatment and use can be life threatening.

However, they are not freely and prompt;y available through the NHS. Either there are long delays or they are not available at all. Either way the patient pays if they don't have private insurance or goes without.

I would not describe this as a service which is free at the point of delivery.

No I wouldn't. Economies of scale are relevant to purchasing, certain kinds of manufacturing and production. They are not relevant to healthcare in terms of delivery and other countries take that view.

Trusts would be relevant if they operated totally outside of government intervention and control

[Andy Hall]

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:13:00 +0100, June Hughes wrote (in article ):

You haven't seen me firing people.....

[Andy Hall]

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:22:20 +0100, June Hughes wrote (in article ):

That's the old technology way of doing things....

Actually, I seldom sit on my backside in front of my computer. Normally it is sitting on my knees and I am travelling around.

[The Reid]

Following up to Andy Hall

of exceptional cases.

[Owain]

Was that the one who had photographs of breasts hung up on the walls with a wonderbra?

Maybe it's the heat.

Owain

[Clive George]

..

..

IME freely and promptly available. I've never had a problem getting them - and I test quite a lot.

Type 2s may have to pay a prescription charge, and for their other meds. Annual prepayment would seem to cover that.

cheers, clive

[June Hughes]

In message , Andy Hall writes

Is that what they are doing? How quaint. Can you prove it? If you stop saying things like that, people may start to take notice.

[June Hughes]

In message , Andy Hall writes

Oh! So you fire people do you? Humph! You seem to have an awful lot of time to spend spouting on Usenet. Put your money where your mouth is and get out there with your campaign instead of posting here.

[June Hughes]

In message , Andy Hall writes

Ah! So you are a travelling salesman, are you? I would have thought you would have something better to do with your time on the train, plane, bus or whatever you travel on.

[Mary Fisher]

You're not STILL banging on about her?

If things don't change they'll stay as they are :-)

Mary

[Mary Fisher]

It's a strange mentality which thinks there's a cure for cancer.

My cancer was treated successfully (no-one can claim a cure with authority and a guarantee), several years ago. I've survived. A Band-Aid never went anywhere near me.

I doubt that a Band-Aid will go anywhere near Spouse during his cancer treatment.

You've shown that there's something else you don't know about.

[Mary Fisher]

You've been reading the papers again.

Herceptin is a very specific drug which is used on certain patients who might benefit in certain types of cancer. It's not a general cancer drug. It's not even a general breast cancer drug.

>

[Mary Fisher]

Rubbish.

Most Type 2s are old enough to have zero cost for prescriptions.

Type 1 patients don't pay for treatments at any age - well, they don't in our family and I doubt that we're exceptional.

[William Black]

Type 2s don't pay anyway, no diabetic does in the UK...

[Guy King]

The message from "Mary Fisher" contains these words:

Which is why that fuss about it a few months ago was so stupid. Many of those screaming for it were not in the group for which it is indicated.

[The Reid]

Following up to Mary Fisher

please don't mention banging, with my age and the heat.

[The Reid]

Following up to Mary Fisher

best wishes to him, Mary.

[Clive George]

So, Andy, about those blood glucose testing strips then?

cheers, clive