National Health Service

[ANUSHIKA]

There is always articles in the news about the N.H.S and how little money it has available and also about what should be avaliable on the NHS like I.V.F treatment for example what does everyone think about our National Health Service?

[Quizmonster]

It's wonderful! And - despite the rantings of certain politicians and tabloids - in every survey/opinion-poll taken among NHS-users, about 90% say exactly the same as I do.

[FredPuli]

Agreed QM. We can't really afford it but then we never could so we have to make do and mend a bit.When I see the arguments on American sites even over prescription medicine and then think of our system I suddenly think it's not at all bad.

[paulz]

Yes I think it's brill. The only thing lets it down is all the bureaucracy, the admin side gows out of proportion, and they never [like most other gov depts] listen to the workers - or if they do just pay them lip service. If some of the admin staff/managers had to do say a night shift on a friday/Saturday night, then go home & try to get some kip/feed the kids/be a partner then go back for another shift, i think we'd see some changes to [a] salary, [b] terms & conditions. A bit like putting MP's on the minimum wage [how quick would that rise above a �5 I wonder] but its only a dream

[pottmeister]

The biggest problem in the NHS is the prices of medical products.I work in Supplies-Purchasing and am horrified on a daily basis of the price of equipment.The price of a single spanner EXACTLY the same as you would use on a bike at home costs the NHS �34.00, compared to �2 in a hardware shop and there is no difference at all. The NHS is being held to ransom by these companies.

[bazwillrun]

Most countries would die (no pun intended) to have a health service like ours. Sure it has its problems, but look at how many people it treats every year, but all you hear about is the relatively small (against the numbers treated) number of problems. My brother is an NHS Consultant in Dorset. As he is always saying it is all the admin staff and managers, and consultants that cripple the NHS, all beavering away to maintain all the government stats and tables. Last summer we were watching Alan Milburn on TV going on about the consultants contracts and my brother bet me then that by the same time next year (summer 2003)Milburn would be gone Correct, he's gone, to spend more time with his family, yeh right, we believe you. Hes gone because his brief was to "break the consultants" but he couldnt and he knew he couldnt, he was doomed to failure, so he had to go. You could spend from now until eternity going over what should and shouldnt be treated by the NHS. If you were down to you last �5000 would you spend it on IVF to help a young couple have a baby or would you spend it on an 85 year old to keep them alive. You could spend years arguing the merits or non merits of treatment for loads of cases