Gransnet forums

News & politics

Anyone else waiting with anticipation to see what's in the Govt's plan for the NHS?

(123 Posts)
foxie48 Fri 30-Jun-23 09:10:05

I listened to Steve Barclay being interviewed on radio 4 this morning and he mentioned the expansion of medical schools, which I think most people recognise is this is a very sensible plan. However, what he failed to mention was that several new medical schools were already open but because the govt had refused to fund them for our own students they had been forced to take students from overseas. Contrary to some people's understanding of the situation, it is not the BMA who have been stopping the recruitment of more medical students, it has been the cap put on funding by this present govt. I don't want to prejudge but I understand this plan will start in 2025 by which time I think they will be out on the back benches. So to sum up, no major reforms as BJ promised to Social care, potentially no reform/additional funding for the NHS and let the next govt sort out the mess. Am I just being cynical?
www.theguardian.com/education/2022/jun/22/2022-hardest-year-in-living-memory-to-enter-uk-medical-school

M0nica Fri 30-Jun-23 15:09:01

It is always jam tomorrow with this lot, when what is needed is jam today.

Read the thread running at the moment about someone whose husband has ulcers that need dressing and antibiotics and is having to wait up to a week for both.

DH was sent to the emergency assessment unit this week, we arrived, we spoke to a doctor, gave them the forms our GP had given us and they found his name on the computersat and waited, we waited three hours, as it was clear from other patients that waits were very long. Anyway in the end I did enquire when we would be seen.

At which point it was discovered that we hadn';t been formally booked in so that they did not know we were there.

As I said, what we need is jam today.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:11:31

Whitewavemark2

Yes I’d be much less cynical if the cap was lifted immediately.

Or even to start in 2024 - but after the election………

The obvious answer is that Universities have to get their acts together, more lecturers to be found, Consultants in teaching hospitals have to reorganise their departments and workloads to accommodate the extra placements.

Students who may have deferred (I know at least one who deferred their place in medical school for two years to volunteer), and time for those who were maybe considering to enter medicine to decide.

We are only a small SME but I know from 40+ years of experience that planning for new staff takes time.

Whitewavemark2 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:17:18

🤔 I’d be more convinced if Sunak also put pay into the equation.

2024 is nearly 18 months away!! How long does it take?

Casdon Fri 30-Jun-23 15:19:42

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

Yes I’d be much less cynical if the cap was lifted immediately.

Or even to start in 2024 - but after the election………

The obvious answer is that Universities have to get their acts together, more lecturers to be found, Consultants in teaching hospitals have to reorganise their departments and workloads to accommodate the extra placements.

Students who may have deferred (I know at least one who deferred their place in medical school for two years to volunteer), and time for those who were maybe considering to enter medicine to decide.

We are only a small SME but I know from 40+ years of experience that planning for new staff takes time.

It could start this year.
www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jan/14/ministers-refuse-fund-medical-school-uk-doctor-shortage

GrannyGravy13 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:22:51

Casdon

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

Yes I’d be much less cynical if the cap was lifted immediately.

Or even to start in 2024 - but after the election………

The obvious answer is that Universities have to get their acts together, more lecturers to be found, Consultants in teaching hospitals have to reorganise their departments and workloads to accommodate the extra placements.

Students who may have deferred (I know at least one who deferred their place in medical school for two years to volunteer), and time for those who were maybe considering to enter medicine to decide.

We are only a small SME but I know from 40+ years of experience that planning for new staff takes time.

It could start this year.
www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jan/14/ministers-refuse-fund-medical-school-uk-doctor-shortage

That article was published five months ago, before today’s announcement.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 30-Jun-23 15:23:47

This year? You realise the next academic year will start this autumn - how much planning and preparation do you think is needed? 2025/4 academic year yes, next academic year impossible.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 30-Jun-23 15:24:45

Indeed GG. But any opportunity to have a go, eh?

Whitewavemark2 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:26:39

But why not 2024/5?

Bossyrossy Fri 30-Jun-23 15:27:53

The Conservatives have had thirteen years to sort out the NHS and they have achieved nothing, in fact it’s only got worse. So now, within spitting distance of a general election, they come up with a plan of action. Of course they are trying to convince the public that a vote for them will mean that the NHS will be in safe hands. Hopefully the British public are not foolish enough to fall for their false promises. Look at what they have done not at what they say they will do.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 30-Jun-23 15:29:20

I meant 2024/5 not 2025/4! But I can only guess at the planning needed. Those involved actually know.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:30:34

I don’t expect miracles from any Government.

tit-for-tat rhetoric is already being ramped up by supporters and MP’s from all sides we could go to December 2024 before the GE.

Casdon Fri 30-Jun-23 15:31:52

Germanshepherdsmum

Indeed GG. But any opportunity to have a go, eh?

You didn’t read the article did you?

GrannyGravy13 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:33:57

Casdon

Germanshepherdsmum

Indeed GG. But any opportunity to have a go, eh?

You didn’t read the article did you?

I did

Whitewavemark2 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:38:08

I’ll tell you what was noticeable.

Wes Streeting had been touting the same plan for ages and every time the press would ask where he thought the money would come from.

Not one person asked Sunak that question.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 30-Jun-23 15:38:12

I did read it. Five months old. How does it explain that the plan (unveiled today) can be up and running for the start of the next academic year (September)?

Casdon Fri 30-Jun-23 15:39:15

Look, this opportunity was known about last year by the government. They were asked to support. They knew there was a chronic and increasing medical staffing crisis in the NHS. They knew what the report about future staffing would say, it was blindingly obvious. They deliberately ignored an open door.
I’m sorry, if that’s having a go at the government it’s for a legitimate reason.

Whitewavemark2 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:39:21

Bossyrossy

The Conservatives have had thirteen years to sort out the NHS and they have achieved nothing, in fact it’s only got worse. So now, within spitting distance of a general election, they come up with a plan of action. Of course they are trying to convince the public that a vote for them will mean that the NHS will be in safe hands. Hopefully the British public are not foolish enough to fall for their false promises. Look at what they have done not at what they say they will do.

Yes. I don’t think people are being fooled.

Whitewavemark2 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:42:02

When people wonder why labour don’t publish detailed plans - this is the reason.

The Tories pinch them and claim them as their own.

Happens time and again, which is why Starmer is keeping his powder dry.

vintage1950 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:43:40

What about student debt after graduating from medical school? What about the cost to the students of taking their examinations? They have to fund these themselves, and get no study leave. (They also have to pay for parking, and for meals in hospital while on duty, as far as I know, please correct me if I'm wrong).

Whitewavemark2 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:48:50

👀. Pay

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 30-Jun-23 15:49:18

This is the NHS’s plan, backed by the government, not the other way round. And some time in the making, not a back of a fag packet job concocted down the pub yesterday.
It’s rather hard to believe that Starmer has any ideas when we hear nothing constructive from him. Which reminds me - you said he had a plan to stop the boats. I asked what it was - silence. Yet people are calling for international participation in finding solutions - does that not include Labour?

MayBee70 Fri 30-Jun-23 15:53:17

Whitewavemark2

When people wonder why labour don’t publish detailed plans - this is the reason.

The Tories pinch them and claim them as their own.

Happens time and again, which is why Starmer is keeping his powder dry.

And on QT Fiona Bruce is constantly asking the question ‘so what is Labours plan’. Is it any wonder they hold their cards close to their chest? Am I right in thinking that Sunak is going to increase the number of people allowed to train to be doctors, after recently dramatically reducing that number? Like party policy to reduce the number of police after their numbers were reduced by the Home Secretary at the time who, I think, was Theresa May. It seems to be a reoccurring theme with this government.

Casdon Fri 30-Jun-23 15:57:36

Germanshepherdsmum

This is the NHS’s plan, backed by the government, not the other way round. And some time in the making, not a back of a fag packet job concocted down the pub yesterday.
It’s rather hard to believe that Starmer has any ideas when we hear nothing constructive from him. Which reminds me - you said he had a plan to stop the boats. I asked what it was - silence. Yet people are calling for international participation in finding solutions - does that not include Labour?

So if we accept that this is the NHS’ plan, why does anybody think the government deserves any kudos, exactly?

Labour’s NHS proposals are on the Labour Party website if you care to take a look.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 30-Jun-23 16:05:38

The government are funding the putting of the plan into operation.
It’s Labour’s plan for stopping the boats I want to know about.

Aveline Fri 30-Jun-23 16:09:42

Och stop moaning and nitpicking and who said what and when. For whatever reason, this new plan is going to start. Thank goodness something practical is finally being done rather than being spouted on about.