AIBU to think the NHS is already dead

I wonder if any of you realise that there is a growing number of people who believe the NHS is already privatised. Not because all services are now delivered by a private company, although many are, but because the Regional Boards that run the NHS now have providers of private healthcare sitting on them.

The difference between right and left is that the right want to enable private companies to make a profit out of the funding we/the government provide and to stop workers becoming better paid. The left, on the other hand, wants the money to go straight to NHS services, including the workers becoming better paid were it helps but excluding profit making by private companies.

From my seat in the middle I think there are cases where either would/could provide a better service but what must remain is "free at the point of need" or the element of true insurance will disappear.

If you scroll down to the graphs headed Figure 4: To what extent should three key principles of the NHS apply? (on the link you will see below) it shows there is still a great deal of consensus about the three key principles. Why then are we being moved away from them to please a minority?

www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/party-politics-and-attitudes-towards-the-nhs

Ah Dickens I can understand the reasoning about paracetamol now.
Thank you for explaining it.

Dickens

^I wish they’d take paracetamol away from being prescribed.^
It’d be a start.

The problem is Urms if you need the drug on a regular basis, you will have to shop for it frequently or traipse around various pharmacies to buy the limited quantity that you are allowed to purchase in any one transaction.

After surgery, which led to a long rather painful recovery, I was advised to take Paracetamol by my consultant. I was too poorly to keep going out every 3 days or so to buy them in the limited quantity available - couldn't drive and had to rely on someone to transport me to the chemist.

My GP put them on prescription - because he could prescribe 100 at a time. And he knew I wasn't well enough to keep trudging around various outlets to buy the quantities needed.

If Paracetamol are to be taken off the prescription list - and I think they should be - then we have got to be allowed to purchase them in larger quantities. It's unrealistic to expect people in pain to continually have to go out to buy them so frequently - especially if there's no local pharmacy.

I asked my GP to authenticate my need with a 'note' so I could buy them myself in the quantities needed. He couldn't do it - there's no 'system' for it!

Good post, Dickens

I was told to take eight paracetamol a day by a GP but it proved difficult to keep buying that many, although they are inexpensive.

After three years of waiting for operations, the GP now prescribes them at 100 a time which helps, although it does nothing for the waiting lists.

They are available to purchase in large quantities in other countries; I can buy a packet of 96 in Australia, for example.

Urmstongran

Ah Dickens I can understand the reasoning about paracetamol now.
Thank you for explaining it.

Well one doesn't know until one knows, so to speak!

My GP did say that when the drug has to be taken on a daily basis, they are happy to prescribe.

But you'd think it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility that GPs could 'prescribe' them without the NHS picking up the tab wouldn't you! They are much cheaper to buy OTC - especially if you buy the generic ones without all the fancy packaging and 'added' caffeine.

After three years of waiting for operations, the GP now prescribes them at 100 a time which helps, although it does nothing for the waiting lists.

Good grief Callistemon21, that is awful. Totally unacceptable. And it really isn't good for your liver to be dependent on Paracetamol for so long.

I hope you can - possibly - nudge things along, it must be getting you down.

I've nudged Dickens, at least they've put me on the waiting list now (they forgot to do that initially) and have backdated it.

The reason that paracetamol is only available in small amounts is because they are frequently used for suicide as toxic in relatively small amounts. (yes, liver is overwhelmed, but we are taking well above a therapeutic dose)

So its left us with the situation that best option, given this fact, is for large amounts to be prescribed by GP's for regular users in need.

It's lovely to see you posting again Urms.

Callistemon21

I've nudged Dickens, at least they've put me on the waiting list now (they forgot to do that initially) and have backdated it.

... so for some time whilst you were waiting - you were not even on the list? And didn't know that you weren't?

Dear God...

I hope you don't have to wait much longer. And make sure you never over-step with the Paracetamol. My GP warned me about the possible irreversible damage to the liver if I were to be tempted to take the drug more frequently than prescribed (not suggesting you would of course!). He told me to try to leave at least a 6 hour gap between doses, if possible - even though the packaging label says 4 hours.

Kate1949

It's lovely to see you posting again Urms.

I thought the same!

I have been thinking about her as I know many have.

Have you been ill Urmstangran? If so I hope you are well on the way to recovery.

Dickens

Callistemon21

I've nudged Dickens, at least they've put me on the waiting list now (they forgot to do that initially) and have backdated it.

... so for some time whilst you were waiting - you were not even on the list? And didn't know that you weren't?

Dear God...

I hope you don't have to wait much longer. And make sure you never over-step with the Paracetamol. My GP warned me about the possible irreversible damage to the liver if I were to be tempted to take the drug more frequently than prescribed (not suggesting you would of course!). He told me to try to leave at least a 6 hour gap between doses, if possible - even though the packaging label says 4 hours.

Thanks Dickens - the GP initially recommended taking 8 a day every day but I don't and it don't think that is wise. Perhaps he didn't think the waiting times were so long!

I don't think ....

You can buy Paracetamol at Aldi here. Very cheap. I hadn’t heard of any problems though I was aware you shouldn’t have too many.

nanna8

You can buy Paracetamol at Aldi here. Very cheap. I hadn’t heard of any problems though I was aware you shouldn’t have too many.

Yes, I've bought packets of about 100 over there.

Not allowed to here in the UK!

Not me. Himself was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago.
Inoperable. Incurable.
To say we are devastated doesn’t begin to cover it. I’m heartbroken.
x

Urmstongran and a big cwtch.

Urms I'm so sorry. I always loved reading your posts. I am sending your DH, you and your family every good wish.

So sorry to hear that Urmstongran.

Callistemon, can you offer to go on the 'stand by' list, if that is appropriate?

Urmstongran

Not me. Himself was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago.
Inoperable. Incurable.
To say we are devastated doesn’t begin to cover it. I’m heartbroken.
x

I am so sorry to hear that. How you must feel is simply unimaginable but hopefully GN will provide some small distraction.

Urmstongran

Not me. Himself was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago.
Inoperable. Incurable.
To say we are devastated doesn’t begin to cover it. I’m heartbroken.
x

You must feel like someone's tipped your world upside down, and then just left you to get on with it.

I'm glad to see you posting again - those little anchors of 'normality' in every day life keep you going, but it's there in your mind all the time, isn't it?

I believe there's a few of us thinking about you - and Himself.
Hold fast Urms

You must feel like someone's tipped your world upside down, and then just left you to get on with it.

This.
Exactly so. Made me cry reading that Dickens.

Urmstongran, thinking of you and Himself, sending much love and prayers. 💕🙏