Paying to see a specialist: welcome to the two tier NHS

The healthcare company Better as.one has a vision: “Your dream NHS, made a reality.”1 Sadly it doesn’t include George Clooney; it’s a new scheme in which people pay a few hundred pounds a year for insurance that entitles them to one or two “free” specialist consultations a year. The website says that no one is turned down and that “as.one is responsible for your medical welfare from diagnosis through to full recovery. We arrange all tests, procedures and treatments to ensure your complete peace of mind.”

With “no waiting …