St John Ambulance part charges?

[nodrog:Me]

Tis all good - KFC is Halal Certified shit.

Derker Derker

[skippa1]

FFS: Will you lot please get down of your collective high horse.

All I'm saying is that I expect to pay for an ambulance service, just not on a visit by visit basis (or a subscription). This sort of thing should be completely tax payer funded as it's something that strongly benifits the whole of society - not just those being rescued.

This and other shit like it are major contributors to the widening of the poverty gap.


I will say it again for those that don't seem to be listening - MY PROBLEM IS NOT THE MONEY. My problem is that an ambulance service is seen as a service only to those that are attended. In truth it is a service to EVERYBODY, whether you're attended or not.

You better hope you don't need coastguard either then, or the volunteer fire brigade most of us rely on.....

[Drew]

I'm well aware thank you of the service costs. I just can't afford it....My option to take I think. And the knuckle dragger bit made me laugh - that's why I won't let our local fire brigade attempt emergency treatment on me, they have a defibrillator, and they're dangerous...

Those defib machines are automatic. Won't shock ya if there's the slightest rhythm there.

[Virago]

Agreed.

But that's not the point. I don't owe them anything (well, not money anyway) even though they think I do. I would quite happily have given them a donation (even though the paramedic was wearing his prejudices on his sleeve), just object to being extorted.

Do you object to paying your GP too? After all, they provide a taxpayer-subsidised "public good" service - exactly like St John.

[Akzle]

Those defib machines are automatic. Won't shock ya if there's the slightest rhythm there.

heheheh.
Just jump them off the 24v truck...

[BMWST?]

extotion would be asking for a payment before offering you a lift.Pay them

[swbarnett]

You need a functioning society first .

Public goods are one of the pillars of a functioning society. They come both first and second (a bit like the chicked and egg conundrum).

[swbarnett]

Without some idea of why you or whoever was in the ambulance, I struggle to understand your viewpoint.

I don't see why the reason for the trip should make any difference? This was not relevant to ACC if that's what you mean.

My problem is that we're given no choice but to pay. If they had sent a letter asking us to cover some of the cost I would gladly oblige. The way it has been done has left me with a sour taste.

As a matter of principle I would just like to know what the concequences are to ignoring the bill. I may well send them the money anyway, just in the form of a donation, not a responce to a demand.

[swbarnett]

Benefit to me =nil.

Bullshit. Benifit to you is that one more member of the society in which you live (like it or not) is now healthy. A healthy population is of benifit to all.

[nzspokes]

The way it has been done has left me with a sour taste.

Easy fix then, next time hire a taxi.

[swbarnett]

How much is the bill?

$88. But that's not really relevant. It could be $1 and I'd still feel the same.

[swbarnett]

Don't wanna pay for the service don't use it? Pay up tight arse

You need to read the whole story before you comment. I don't mind paying, it's the demand to do so I object to.

[swbarnett]

You better hope you don't need coastguard either then, or the volunteer fire brigade most of us rely on.....

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if those services are just as under valued.

If we as a society want these services to exist the why the hell are we so reluctant to fund them from the tax take?

[swbarnett]

Do you object to paying your GP too? After all, they provide a taxpayer-subsidised "public good" service - exactly like St John.

Finally, the first reasonable argument in this whole thread.

I actually think you have a point. You're right in that I pay the GP without question. Something I grew up with and never questioned. Whereas I grew up with a "free" ambulance service.

I still think that the ambulance service should be completely tax funded. This goes for GPs as well. That way you won't get people leaving a GP visit too late because it they go they don't eat.

[Katman]

I confidently expect to die driving myself to town (slowly) after a heart attack.

While couriering in London many years ago I suffered my first ever experience of heart burn. I seriously thought I was actually having a heart attack.

Fucked if I was stopping though - I had packages to deliver.

I made the concession of moving over into the slow lane though.

True story.