Gransnet forums

News & politics

NHS

(564 Posts)
Iam64 Wed 03-Jan-18 19:19:36

The situation we're in this week with the NHS, cancelled operations, frail and ill patients sitting in queues of ambulances outside A and E, etc etc.
The health secretary and PM are insisting they planned well for these pressures. Every doctor/nurse Ive heard interviewed is saying the situation is desperate and that the issue is lack of resources.
Local Authorities funds have been devastated so patients who could be discharged home if social care was available remain in hospital. People stay on trollies in A and E rather than being discharged because there isn't a Consultant available to confirm they ca go home.
Does anyone have a sensible suggestion about how this situation can be improved. I don't see how it can improve without more money, we need to train and support our medical staff.

durhamjen Sun 14-Jan-18 19:25:14

publicmatters.org.uk/2018/01/13/a-maths-problem-to-solve-44-x-aco-does-not-1-x-nhs/

Lots of groups trying to stop ACOs and the Americanisation/privatisation of the NHSE.

durhamjen Sun 14-Jan-18 16:15:34

www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/nhs-hospital-bed-numbers

The whole report. It must be true.

OldMeg Sun 14-Jan-18 15:26:14

I think that quote was based on the report by the Kingsfund Maisie.

Here is part of a report from the BMA just 11 months ago

“Dr Mark Porter, BMA council chair, said:

“The UK already has the second lowest number of hospital beds per head in Europe and these figures paint an even bleaker picture of an NHS that is at breaking point. High bed occupancy is a symptom of wider pressure and demand on an overstretched and underfunded system. It causes delays in admissions, operations being cancelled and patients being unfairly and sometimes repeatedly let down. The delays that vulnerable patients are facing, particularly those with mental health issues, have almost become the norm and this is unacceptable.

"Failures within the social care system are also having a considerable knock-on effect on an already stretched and underfunded NHS. When social care isn’t available, patients experience delays in moving from hospital to appropriate social care settings which damages patient care and places a significant strain on the NHS.

“In the short term we need to see bed plans that are workable and focused on the quality of care and patient experiences, rather than financial targets. But in the long term we need politicians to take their heads of out the sand and provide a sustainable solution to the funding and capacity challenges that are overwhelming the health service.”

Jalima1108 Sun 14-Jan-18 15:04:38

"a new dawn in grey power."
Well, I am not grey yet so better sign off.

maryeliza54 Sun 14-Jan-18 14:47:25

Oh come on Maizie don’t pollute a thread with facts, all we want is opinions ???

MaizieD Sun 14-Jan-18 14:32:24

Bot sure quite where to put this, but as it's about the NHS it had better go here.

But whenever I see this fact quoted on social media I do wonder why so many Leavers blamed immigrants for shortage of hospital beds.

The total no of NHS hosptl beds in England has more than halved over past 30 years, from ~299,000 to 142,000, while the number of patients has increased significantly.

See thread for details

twitter.com/DancingTheMind/status/952535863568883712

maryeliza54 Sun 14-Jan-18 13:53:53

Gransnet is the busiest social networking site for the over 50s. Launched in May 2011, the site was described by the Telegraph as "a new dawn in grey power." At its heart is a buzzing forum where users debate the hot topics of the day, support each other through tough times and share a laugh.
Gransnet - about the social networking site for grandparents | ...

It’s much more than an opinions site - the above is from GN itself!

Bridgeit Sun 14-Jan-18 13:25:33

They just can't help themselves Lemongrove. There is nothing worse than those who are blinkered to their own deficiencies, but are always waiting to jump on the wording & delivery of other posters They conveniently & deliberately ignore the content, opinion or point of a particular post & instead stoop to petty criticism,AS I have said before it is an Opinions site, we were not asked to pass an ' I'm holier than you exam ' nor take an English grammar test !

Jalima1108 Sun 14-Jan-18 11:03:50

I'm a bit puzzled, though, trying to work out the family connection - not cousins but Virginia Bottomley seems to be a niece of Jeremy Hunt's aunt by marriage? iyswim?

MaizieD Sun 14-Jan-18 10:52:16

Thanks for the link about Jeremy Hunt WilmaK.

Did you come across it by chance or do you follow that blog?

(I ask because the blogger's views seem to be 'interesting' hmm)

Nepotism's Latin root is the word for 'nephew' rather than 'cousin'.

durhamjen Sun 14-Jan-18 09:34:41

This is interesting, how Brexit will affect the NHS and care services.

www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/articles/brexit-implications-health-social-care

durhamjen Sun 14-Jan-18 08:58:54

I dislike him because he takes profit from the NHS and doesn't pay taxes on it.

WilmaKnickersfit Sun 14-Jan-18 01:56:23

I honestly think Branson is an opportunistic serial entrepreneur. He sees an opportunity and takes it. He makes it successful and then sells most of the business. Then he starts again, but each time he's got more contacts than before. As we know, it's not what you know, it's who you know. You could also call him a modern day carpetbagger. Plus he's always said he's not interested in playing by the rules, just getting the job done. Trouble is I can't help but like him.

durhamjen Sun 14-Jan-18 00:59:42

That was interesting, Wilma. I knew about Virginia, but not about his dad.
The one thing missing out of that was Virgin Care. I wonder where Branson fits in the nepotism triangle.
I presume he wasn't around in Surrey when that article was written.

WilmaKnickersfit Sun 14-Jan-18 00:06:07

This is interesting...

Jeremy Hunt and Nepotism

WilmaKnickersfit Sat 13-Jan-18 23:47:30

PS I know Hunt already had Social Care, but you know what I mean.

WilmaKnickersfit Sat 13-Jan-18 23:42:11

On Question Time on Thursday night it seemed like there was a lot of support for the NHS to be taken out of the politicians hands or at least to be under the umbrella of cross party support. I must admit I was gobsmacked to hear Hunt not only kept his job, but was given Social Care too. It's not that I don't think the two things should be under one minister - I do - it just sent chills down my spine to hear Hunt is to be that minister.

How can a minister refuse to be moved elsewhere? What power does Hunt have to defy the PM like that? I've never heard of this happening before, but has anyone else? confused.

I was hoping Sarah Wollaston would make it to Health Minister.

WilmaKnickersfit Sat 13-Jan-18 23:28:14

OK I used the word intelligence and not knowledge, but the word knowledge has many definitions including understanding as well as information. Knowing something does not mean automatically you understand it. So the same thing applies. Knowing a lot of facts does not mean you know how to apply them. And don't be so pompous in your replies.

GracesGranMK2 Sat 13-Jan-18 23:09:38

GracesGran passing exams is not a sign of intelligence

Where did I say it was? Do read what is written WMKF, not just what you want to have an argument about.

GracesGranMK2 Sat 13-Jan-18 23:08:27

Back to the NHS perhaps....

It would have been nice if you and others hadn't taken us away from the discussion really Lemons.

Chewbacca Sat 13-Jan-18 18:42:18

Jalima when a non urgent operation is scheduled, the operating theatres, surgeons and staff are booked weeks or months in advance. This is problematical in the run up to, and over, the busy winter months because beds are needed for urgent cases. It would be much better if from, say October/November, no non urgent operations were scheduled, thus avoiding the need to cancel those appointments at the last minute. It all needs to be managed better. Afterall, winter comes around every year and brings the associated urgent hospital admissions.

jura2 Sat 13-Jan-18 18:41:07

This principle is actually much better understood in the UK, than in France, the EU or Switzerland. The best paid teachers are those with the highest academic qualifications, even if they are awful and hopeless teachers.

For instance, as a practical example, not academic though- the best paid Ski Instructors in France are those who win races, especially at international level- even if they have no idea how to teach effectively- or relate to people, assess their ability and work out how to release the right triggers to allow them to achieve their best.

jura2 Sat 13-Jan-18 18:34:52

'Except...in the case of a doctor !' - I actually disagree here. The best doctors (or the best teachers, psychologists, etc, etc) are not necessarily the ones with the Highest and most numerous qualifications - of course, you need to be qualified- but someone with 3 PhDs will not necessarily be the best at doctoring, or teaching.

Chewbacca Sat 13-Jan-18 18:32:55

grin

lemongrove Sat 13-Jan-18 18:29:25

grin