Blairs most foolhardy mistake re the NHS

[sodthisforfun]

. And I guess it must be different from surgery to surgery, let alone area to area. But prasie where it is due, not into knocking them.

Knock the system, yes, it needs a desperate overhaul. Like councils in a way, it needs a lot of the managers and such like removing and a fresh start, or as much as is possible. Too many people protecting their jobs, not the service they should provide.

I've lived in different counties when each illness happened to me. Sadly I have had to go to hospital for several operations, some very serious, and treatments over the last 18 years. I will say on a whole, once I have seen the specialist, the treatment has been good, the GP's are the ones who have let me down on every occasion when it mattered. I don't wish to knock the NHS, it is something to be proud of, however, it is not beyond reproach.

 

[SirGalahad]

The NHS has its faults but that is political, the staff are generally dedicated.

Exactly. It should be removed from political inference

The NHS is underfunded, but the German and French systems are very expensive and they are finding it hard to keep pace with increasing cost.

Hers another example. You come to see the GP in the UK with a headache over in Germany and France you will go and get an MRI when in most cases it's not needed. In an insurance based system you get over consumption because of moral hazard.

 

[SirGalahad]

I've lived in different counties when each illness happened to me. Sadly I have had to go to hospital for several operations, some very serious, and treatments over the last 18 years. I will say on a whole, once I have seen the specialist, the treatment has been good, the GP's are the ones who have let me down on every occasion when it mattered. I don't wish to knock the NHS, it is something to be proud of, however, it is not beyond reproach.

Agree.

I am sorry to hear that about your treatment from GPs. Did they miss a diagnosis?

 

[JP_]

Not cheap, but you could see a private GP and if needed, be referred to an NHS consultant.

 

[sodthisforfun]

Agree.

I am sorry to hear that about your treatment from GPs. Did they miss a diagnosis?

3! One of them was a life-changer. Had they not fobbed me off, I'd be better off today without a doubt, and if I hadn't gone back a few times and then by chance, seeing a different GP, I'd probably be dead. But you live and learn, I know now not to always take a GP's word as gospel. I do my own research, (without getting panicky!) and am no longer afraid to ask for a second opinion.

Not cheap, but you could see a private GP and if needed, be referred to an NHS consultant.

Yes, pricey going private but easy enough to use bits and bobs. Last year my GP (one of the partners) blamed my symptoms for something else on something trivial, despite being presented with facts and the illness being as common as muck. So I paid for my own scan. It showed up what I suspected and I went back to the GP for a referral and had an operation. But it annoys me, not everyone has the means to do so, and not everyone questions a doctor. I was brought up to respect and trust doctors and think of them with a little awe and I still see that attitude around.

 

[durhamplumber]

do think there is a case of taking something for granted when we don't have to pay directly for it.

VERY wise comment indeed..The NHS is on its knees in a big way partly due to people expecting the earth

 

[SirGalahad]

VERY wise comment indeed..The NHS is on its knees in a big way partly due to people expecting the earth

It's struggling due to funding shortages and an aging population. Guess who use the NHS resources the most? The older generation who have paid their taxes so now they should be looked after.

 

[ellal]

Guess who use the NHS resources the most?

We increasingly now have privatisation taking hold...

So maybe that ought to be 'Guess who abuses the NHS resources the most?'

Profit before people!

 

[Notch7]

Exactly. It should be removed from political inference

Ive always thought that. But it takes such a large amount of government funding its hard to see how it could be separated from political interference.

There has been talk over the years of a separate cross party way to arrive at NHS decisions.

The big problem with governments is short term approach which is why the NHS has had so many different systems over the years as one party implements, the tears it up and tries something different.

 

[SirGalahad]

Ive always thought that. But it takes such a large amount of government funding its hard to see how it could be separated from political interference.

There has been talk over the years of a separate cross party way to arrive at NHS decisions.

The big problem with governments is short term approach which is why the NHS has had so many different systems over the years as one party implements, the tears it up and tries something different.

It needs to be apolitical as does education. They are both too important for the health and wealth of the country.

Independent of lobbyists and management consultants run by medics, administrators with patient input right at the top.

There is a role for private providers but not free market ideology which does not work.

It would be a vote winner but our political parties are too power hungry.

 

[JohnD]

Public services need public funding.

Where is it going to come from?

 

[Notch7]

Public services need public funding.

Where is it going to come from?

Here we go JohnDs favorite hobby horse, the rich dont pay enough tax.........

 

[JohnD]

the rich dont pay enough tax

you are strangely reluctant to answer my question.

 

[Deleted member 63160]

We increasingly now have privatisation taking hold...

So maybe that ought to be 'Guess who abuses the NHS resources the most?'

Profit before people!

That's twice I've liked one of your posts in as many days. I'm off to get drunk and unreasonable now

 

[vinty]

The problem could be that the UK spends less on health than other civilised countries, if you want a better health service you have to pay for it.
America has a private system and they spend a lot more on health than the UK without any discernable improvement in health outcomes.
Hasn't the NHS has been rated Globally as above the American system and that is in spite of the Tories systematically undermining the NHS.
Private enterprise works well in some situations but not all.