Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/

Charge for Emergency call outs if your intoxicated

  • 07-09-2013 10:14PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,123 ✭✭✭KwackerJack


    The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said people who are intoxicated by drink or drugs and get arrested or need treatment in accident and emergency units should be charged to compensate the taxpayer.

    Good Idea me thinks!

    Should intoxicated people be charged extra for emergency service's 134 votes

    Yes
    0% 0 votes
    No
    71% 96 votes
    I don't know, I'm drunk
    28% 38 votes


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,815 ✭✭✭✭galwayrush


    Can we pay in euro?

    Seriously, great idea. Hope it happens here as well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭AudreyHepburn


    ANYONE who calls the Emergency Services out needlessly, drunk or not, should be charged imo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,123 ✭✭✭KwackerJack


    galwayrush wrote: »
    Can we pay in euro?

    Seriously, great idea. Hope it happens here as well.

    When our suits see this they will rub their hands and implement it. Until then if you get pissed in the UK don't dial unless you have sterling 911 :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,516 ✭✭✭wazky


    How do they define between drunkeness and genuine stupidity?

    People who do stupid things to earn themselves in A and E should be charged too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,494 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    ANYONE who calls the Emergency Services out needlessly, drunk or not, should be charged imo.

    There's dozens of studies which show that to be a terrible idea. People are less likely to want to call emergency services in case it costs them, which leads to lives and properties lost, and a huge cost to the state.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,250 ✭✭✭✭bumper234


    Brilliant idea and the sooner it's bought in here too the better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,123 ✭✭✭KwackerJack


    wazky wrote: »
    How do they define between drunkeness and genuine stupidity?

    People who do stupid things to earn themselves in A and E should be charged too.

    If your that stupid its free as you probably hid all your money in the monopoly box then gave it to charity for a Big Mac voucher!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭humbert


    I think it would probably make more sense to fine people for being drunk and disorderly rather than attach a penalty to medical treatment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,123 ✭✭✭KwackerJack


    humbert wrote: »
    I think it would probably make more sense to fine people for being drunk and disorderly rather than attach a penalty to medical treatment.

    We have that law but it's not exactly enforced!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,916 ✭✭✭shopaholic01


    Probably a great idea until it happens to you.


    You don't have to be completely off your face to have an accident. You might also need to add a premium for ladies who wear high heels while drinking.

    We pay enough taxes, including tax added to the cost of alcohol. They can always legalise drugs and get tax from their sale too.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭AudreyHepburn


    There's dozens of studies which show that to be a terrible idea. People are less likely to want to call emergency services in case it costs them, which leads to lives and properties lost, and a huge cost to the state.

    I find it hard to imagine that a charge on such call would stop you calling 999 if you truly needed them tbh.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,041 ✭✭✭Seachmall


    We have that law but it's not exactly enforced!

    We should probably start enforcing it before introducing laws that could prevent people from seeking necessary treatment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 54,868 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    Any woman wearing high-heels and who falls and gets injured should be charged extra too. It's their own fault.
    Where will it stop?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,798 ✭✭✭✭DrumSteve


    The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said people who are intoxicated by drink or drugs and get arrested or need treatment in accident and emergency units should be charged to compensate the taxpayer.

    Good Idea me thinks!

    Fair play though I thought eamonn gilmore was second in command?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭PhlegmyMoses


    There's dozens of studies which show that to be a terrible idea. People are less likely to want to call emergency services in case it costs them, which leads to lives and properties lost, and a huge cost to the state.

    Was just thinking this. People would be way less likely to call for help if they were going to be charged €200 as a result.

    As for the police being called, aren't people already fined on a case by case basis for D&D or pissing in public or whatever?

    **** idea Clegg.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,248 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    Not sure about this one...

    On one hand you get junkies and drunks wasting hospital resources. But what if you are on a night out, you've been drinking and get randomly attacked and mugged and have to go to the hospital.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭PhlegmyMoses


    I find it hard to imagine that a charge on such call would stop you calling 999 if you truly needed them tbh.

    Somebody's heart rate is going 90 after taking a few pills. Worried about it but sure once they find out I'm on drugs they'll charge me a couple of hundred euro. I'll go home and sleep it off.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,494 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    I find it hard to imagine that a charge on such call would stop you calling 999 if you truly needed them tbh.

    Do you know how many people die each year due to opting not to call for assistance, through their own stubbornness or whatever else?

    Having a stipulation which says that you'll be charged for calling an ambulance unless you 100% need one, isn't going to help persuade such people to call for assistance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,123 ✭✭✭KwackerJack


    Not sure about this one...

    On one hand you get junkies and drunks wasting hospital resources. But what if you are on a night out, you've been drinking and get randomly attacked and mugged and have to go to the hospital.

    I'm sure in that case you will be OK.

    It's focused on people who get needlessly drunk and put themselves in direct harm for no reason.

    Drink is no excuse for stupidity. People shouldn't drink if they can't control themselves.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 915 ✭✭✭hansfrei


    Crazy idea.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭humbert


    We have that law but it's not exactly enforced!
    I believe we do but only a politician would think the answer to the problem of laws not being enforced is to make more laws.

    This stinks of populist bull**** that will never actually see the light of day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 915 ✭✭✭hansfrei


    People shouldn't drink if they can't control themselves.

    Mad, if I wanted to control myself after a feed of pints I'd drink American beer in America.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,123 ✭✭✭KwackerJack


    Somebody's heart rate is going 90 after taking a few pills. Worried about it but sure once they find out I'm on drugs they'll charge me a couple of hundred euro. I'll go home and sleep it off.

    Well don't take drugs?

    As harsh as it sound if you have a muppet taking pills and a person in a car crash well id rather see the crash victim seen to first. If you take a unknown substance why risk someone else's life for your stupdity.

    Not focused at you by the way, in General
    Do you know how many people die each year due to opting not to call for assistance, through their own stubbornness or whatever else?

    Having a stipulation which says that you'll be charged for calling an ambulance unless you 100% need one, isn't going to help persuade such people to call for assistance.

    It's not for someone who is unsure or worried, its the Gob****e that's to drunk to stand and falls over to pick up his battered burger, bangs his head and think he needs a head transplant while all he has is a little headache


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭catallus


    Let's presume for a minute that the politician didn't pull this idea out of his backside to fly a kite.

    Let's say he is getting reports from the medical professionals that the emergency services are being dragged underwater by drunks and druggies who request unneeded assistance.

    This is the problem with offering service for free. It is abused by the sick twisted sub-human scumbags who place no value on anything that doesn't get them high.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,123 ✭✭✭KwackerJack


    catallus wrote: »
    Let's presume for a minute that the politician didn't pull this idea out of his backside to fly a kite.

    Let's say he is getting reports from the medical professionals that the emergency services are being dragged underwater by drunks and druggies who request unneeded assistance.

    This is the problem with offering service for free. It is abused by the sick twisted sub-human scumbags who place no value on anything that doesn't get them high.

    They are being dragged by drunks and druggies. Its live on Sky News from an A&E


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭PhlegmyMoses


    Well don't take drugs?

    As harsh as it sound if you have a muppet taking pills and a person in a car crash well id rather see the crash victim seen to first. If you take a unknown substance why risk someone else's life for your stupdity.

    Not focused at you by the way, in General

    Then don't drink. Don't smoke. Don't eat any unhealthy food. Don't drive your car any faster than 20 miles an hour and that crash probably won't be too bad. Don't skydive. Don't bungie jump. Don't cycle a bike. Don't do any martial arts.

    It's a nonsensical argument and doesn't deal with what I have posted. The guy has taken drugs. His heart isn't right and he's not thinking straight. The potential to have to pay money could be the difference between him going to the hospital or trying to ride the wave and potentially dying in the process. At this point, the law that is introduced to try to reduce the number of needless call-outs for the drunk and drugged has been counter-productive. Do you get me now?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,250 ✭✭✭✭bumper234


    Go to any A&E after 10 pm on any weekend night and you will realise why this is a good idea.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,123 ✭✭✭KwackerJack


    Then don't drink. Don't smoke. Don't eat any unhealthy food. Don't drive your car any faster than 20 miles an hour and that crash probably won't be too bad. Don't skydive. Don't bungie jump. Don't cycle a bike. Don't do any martial arts.

    It's a nonsensical argument and doesn't deal with what I have posted. The guy has taken drugs. His heart isn't right and he's not thinking straight. The potential to have to pay money could be the difference between him going to the hospital or trying to ride the wave and potentially dying in the process. At this point, the law that is introduced to try to reduce the number of needless call-outs for the drunk and drugged has been counter-productive. Do you get me now?

    Drugs are illegal so if I was a paramedic and had to choose between an innocent crash victim/heart attack victim over a yob that needs drugs to have fun well the yob will have to wait!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭catallus


    Then don't drink. Don't smoke. Don't eat any unhealthy food. Don't drive your car any faster than 20 miles an hour and that crash probably won't be too bad. Don't skydive. Don't bungie jump. Don't cycle a bike. Don't do any martial arts.

    It's a nonsensical argument and doesn't deal with what I have posted. The guy has taken drugs. His heart isn't right and he's not thinking straight. The potential to have to pay money could be the difference between him going to the hospital or trying to ride the wave and potentially dying in the process. At this point, the law that is introduced to try to reduce the number of needless call-outs for the drunk and drugged has been counter-productive. Do you get me now?

    Isn't the point of the law to deter that person from seeking assistance? He will die at less cost to the state than if he died in A&E.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,509 ✭✭✭✭randylonghorn


    There's dozens of studies which show that to be a terrible idea. People are less likely to want to call emergency services in case it costs them, which leads to lives and properties lost, and a huge cost to the state.
    Yep, I've heard a few firemen here ranting that since the introduction of the call-out charges many people will now leave it longer before calling them / try to tackle it themselves beyond the limits of common sense, and that in the end it usually means more damage is done, more cost is involved and danger is increased for everyone concerned including the firemen.
    I find it hard to imagine that a charge on such call would stop you calling 999 if you truly needed them tbh.
    It's the perception of when they're "truly needed" which tends to be affected though.

    It looks like a sensible idea at first glance; people being people it doesn't tend to work out that way.


Advertisement