Our bloated NHS - it’s beyond ridiculous now.

True Urmstongran the same way I can’t get a hip replacement on the NHS but can if I pay privately. The same way I was referred to a physio because of my chronic arthritis in my hips but was discharged the second time I went as I’d been given a wheeler and an exercise chart with lots of hip exercises you do on the floor. It didn’t matter that I can’t even bend down to touch my feet, or even sit on the floor as I can’t then get up. Our magnificent and caring NHS deemed me treated and dealt with.
My late husband had a very bad hernia during the pandemic. He was given a telephone appointment booked three weeks later than when he spoke to the receptionist despite saying it was a hernia. When he was seen by the GP he didn’t refer him for surgery saying they don’t do that now as the waiting lists were so long etc etc and it might not be of benefit. But he could have it done privately of course. He died with it still untreated, from an unrelated cause.
I am bitter concerning the NHS, with good reason I believe.

This constant money being ‘thrown’ At the nhs would be a joke if it wasn’t so serious. The nhs is being and has been fir many years, sold off bit by bit to private companies whose sole raison d’etre is to make profit fir its already well paid directors and shareholders. They do not reinvest profits fir the better good, for facilities or more staff so they are better supported and less overworked making it less likely they leave because of burnout. No that is not how they work. Profit is their motive. When staff leave they are not replaced, the poor exhausted buggers who remain have to pick up the slack, doing their own job and someone else’s too, fir no more money, no thanks, no nothing.
Promises by our unworthy PM for 40 new hospitals 50,000 new doctors 45,000 new nurses, another 50 billion here there and everywhere. It all means nothing. He is full of hot air. Not much else.
The government are running it down so that they can say despite the squillions we pay it’s not working. Well it won’t because the money is leaking out as profits instead of being reinvested. They will say it’s a dead dog and we need another system, and god or whoever help us if they choose an American style one.
A very simple example is the aids which people often comment on that the hospital won’t take them back, what a terrible waste we all say. The reason is that part of the nhs was sold off to private companies looking for profit. Why would they bother to wipe down crutches or walkers, wheelchairs or expensive seating etc if they can just chuck that and order new. Profit profit profit is the reason and there is no profit in cleaning perfectly cleanable aids if they can just get new in.

DaisyAnne the answer is money, my dear. I’m old and I’d like to have something to leave my children. I just hope that I am capable enough to bow out gracefully before becoming incapacitated enough to watch any inheritance they’d get swallowed by care home fees.
Apart from that I believe if people have worked all their lives and paid National Insurance they should be given free quality Health Care.

‘Private’ bad? Not always.
Let’s not forget the wonderful partnership that private paid in producing the Covid vaccine.

I am sure nobody is doubting the wonderful advances in medical treatment over the years, but that’s not the same thing as saying that the NHS in its present state is fit for purpose as it quite clearly isn’t.
I also agree that throwing yet more billions at it isn’t the answer.

If a private company was run the same way, would it survive?
Maybe our health service needs the top business brains to dismantle the system and start again.

This is not meant to be judgemental BeEmerald, please don't take it that way.

DF needed his cataracts done and was told he'd have a 2 year wait. He is late eighties and 2 years is a long time when you are that age. So we paid for it. It's completely against my principles, and his. But we did it. He worried about "spending my inheritance" but I'd rather see my DF enjoy his old age, than have any sort of inheritance.

Please remind us, OP, how much Test and trace cost, and who got the vaccines up and running and rolled out, and how many extra staff were taken on for each?

‘Private’ bad? Not always.

Yes. Always.

And if you think it was "private medicine" that produced the Covid vaccine, then your idea that I am lying in wait for you isn't the only daft idea you've had today.

JenniferEccles

I am sure nobody is doubting the wonderful advances in medical treatment over the years, but that’s not the same thing as saying that the NHS in its present state is fit for purpose as it quite clearly isn’t.
I also agree that throwing yet more billions at it isn’t the answer.

If a private company was run the same way, would it survive?
Maybe our health service needs the top business brains to dismantle the system and start again.

So what do you think the answer is, without spending any more money?

It's easy to criticise, but not so easy to come up with solutions.

Sadly some old people cannot even make that choice over paying for surgery. So they are pretty stuck. In pain or discomfort, waiting & worrying, for a call up. Will it ever come in time?

MissAdventure

Purely anecdotal, (the same as everyone else who is talking about their own or a family members wxperience) but my girls care left a whole lot to be desired.

I agree, everyone's experiences are different.
Most of us can relate excellent experiences as well as disastrous ones, some of ours from years ago ad others very recently indeed.

I could also relate recent administration and management problems which have left doctors, nurses and patients in despair.

When it works it is wonderful but yes, there are inefficiencies, mistakes, perhaps because the organisation is so huge and possibly cumbersome.

I don't know what the answer is; more money is needed for a start, obviously, but targeted in the right way.
Better social care so patients who no longer need a bed can be discharged.
More money is desperately needed by the Ambulance services.
Improvements to GP services so that people do not have to be forced to go to A&E and wait, as they do here, for hours or even days.
Re-opening of Minor Injuries Units for the same reason.

And how much do you think those "top brains" would charge to dismantle the system and start again? Wouldn't they contribute to the allegedly bloated top management?

MissAdventure

Purely anecdotal, (the same as everyone else who is talking about their own or a family members wxperience) but my girls care left a whole lot to be desired.

So do you think she would have had better care, MissAdventure, if she had been privately treated? If so, could you have afforded it? If not why not work towards a better funded NHS?

I thought Astra-Zeneca, a private company, produced the UK Covid vaccine?

volver

^‘Private’ bad? Not always.^

Yes. Always.

And if you think it was "private medicine" that produced the Covid vaccine, then your idea that I am lying in wait for you isn't the only daft idea you've had today.

What about all the pharmaceutical companies developing the latest medicines for eg cancer and many other diseases?

Many people would not be here today without those drugs.

I've no idea, never having used private care.

Urmstongran

I thought Astra-Zeneca, a private company, produced the UK Covid vaccine?

You thought wrong!

Scientists at Oxford University developed it with government funding. Astra Zeneca manufactured and marketed it.

Ran the vaccine-giving process is what I meant, sorry.

volver I understand the point you’re making. Your dad was lucky to have a daughter like you.

Callistemon21

volver

‘Private’ bad? Not always.

Yes. Always.

And if you think it was "private medicine" that produced the Covid vaccine, then your idea that I am lying in wait for you isn't the only daft idea you've had today.

What about all the pharmaceutical companies developing the latest medicines for eg cancer and many other diseases?

Many people would not be here today without those drugs.

They wouldn't do it without funding, some of which comes from the government through research grants, and if they thought the NHS wouldn't buy the end products.

Sometimes I just think I'll give up and go and have a cup of tea.

I just can't be bothered explaining the difference between research companies and health care that is free at the point of need.

Somebody else do it. Please. I don't have the energy.

So Boris tasked Kate Bingham of rolling out our world beating Covid vaccine, discovered by scientists (? who funded them) and thankfully marketed in record tine and not for profit by the redoubtable finances and expertise of Astra Zeneca. Seems a marvellous partnership to me! Unless of course I’ve got something else wrong?

You are very rude volver. In my opinion.

(? who funded them)

The EU and Charities.

Look it up.

Urmstongran

You are very rude volver. In my opinion.

And you are very wrong! (IMO)