NHS reforms

[anotheoldgit]

There is to be a NHS reforms bill protest today in Westminster.

Much has been banded about regarding the reasons for the demise of our once world admired NHS.

The excuses being used are;

'The huge increases in the costs of drugs etc'.

'We are living longer'.

'cost involved in treating smoke related diseases'.

'cost involved in drink related illnesses'.

'cost involved because of the rise in obesity'.

I have heard all these, I even heard it today called the 'English' NHS, does that mean we are on our own, perhaps that is why we are the only one's to pay prescription charges?

Yet I have never heard from the media or the politicians that perhaps one reason could be the huge rises in immigration this country has witnessed since the NHS was formed.

And before you all start, yes there are many immigrants to this country that are employed or who employ and pay their fair share in National Health payments.

The one's I am referring to are all those that have come to this country and enjoy all the benefits of the NHS yet have never in their lives paid a penny into the scheme.

And before you say, we have many of our own who have done likewise, to that I also agree, and I also think that part of their benefits should have national health contributions taken from their benefits.

And finally, there should be a stop to all overseas visitors coming over here to have their expensive operations etc free of charge, of course if they are taken ill while over here they should be able to get the necessary first aid treatment, but if it its found they need further treatment then they should either charged or told to have the treatment in their own country.

[Zeuhl]

This pre-supposes a 'demise'

Surely in most respects the NHS has never been better.

Although they have risen slightly since the election, Waiting Times are shorter than in the past

The numbers (and complexity) of treatments is going up

Plenty of new hospitals serving their communities efficiently

Quality of care very high by most standards

What 'demise' is there?

[bednobs]

The NHS reforms you speak about are only affecting the NHS England

[anotheoldgit]

Zeuhl

Don't ask me ask all those who are saying that the NHS will be privatised, and the NHS can't continue to run on the basis it is now.

From a personal point of view, I have seen waiting times increased in overcrowded doctor's and hospital waiting rooms, due to the increase in patients.

I no longer get free glasses or free dental work, prescription charges have been introduced and have continued to rise enormously since the NHS was introduced.

And that personal touch has disappeared, let me explain, not many years ago, if one felt under the weather, with say a flu attack, one could call the doctor night or day and he would arrive at one's home, sit by one's bedside, take one's temperature and sound one's chest, then advise one to stay in bed and to get someone to collect one's prescription from the local chemist.

Can't get that service any longer, now it is "get in touch with NHS Direct", and if one has any dealings with them, then one knows what to expect.

[Zeuhl]

I understand your view Old Git - things have changed.

But bear in mind, at the time when the GP was (frankly) wasting his time holding the hands of people with flu, there were no hip replacements being done, no chemo-therapy and the free dental treatment was often crude to put it mildly.

Did we have lots of hospital beds? Yes. They were full of people dying who today would be treated and sent home.

[anotheoldgit]

Zeuhl

/// But bear in mind, at the time when the GP was (frankly) wasting his time holding the hands of people with flu, there were no hip replacements being done, no chemo-therapy and the free dental treatment was often crude to put it mildly. ///

Yes granted, but how much more money would it cost the NHS, for the GPs to work shifts the same as most workers have to do?

My practice always had one GP who was on call 24 - 7.

Regarding the free Dental Treatment, how was it crude? We are not talking pre anaesthetic days here.