How the NHS wastes money.

This is concerning -

The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has revealed that NHS trusts spent at least £113,974,561 on interpreters and translation services between 2019-20 and 2021-22.

That’s what’s wrong with this country. Shameful.

Although people are quick to say "too many managers" this is a clear example of why we need managers.

HowVeryDareYou I don’t know many NHS hospitals and clinics there are in the Uk but that figure quoted divided between, say just the bigger hospitals doesn’t seem all that much over two years.

If you were a Japanese tourist and you had a stroke and lost your speech and were sent to hospital here you wouldn’t think it a waste of resources to have the practical support from someone who speaks your language and could liaise on your behalf ..would you?

These incidents need to be reported, hopefully the person who related the story did so. We all have a responsibility when we see something amiss.

theworriedwell

Although people are quick to say "too many managers" this is a clear example of why we need managers.

So who signs off the maintenance invoice 🤷‍♀️

Granmarderby10

HowVeryDareYou I don’t know many NHS hospitals and clinics there are in the Uk but that figure quoted divided between, say just the bigger hospitals doesn’t seem all that much over two years.

If you were a Japanese tourist and you had a stroke and lost your speech and were sent to hospital here you wouldn’t think it a waste of resources to have the practical support from someone who speaks your language and could liaise on your behalf ..would you?

Japan does not have a reciprocal health care agreement with the UK.

If a UK citizen fell ill in Japan they would have to pay, likewise Japanese visitors coming here, so both should take out insurance when visiting. The insurance companies should help with the cost of an interpreter.

Granmarderby10

HowVeryDareYou I don’t know many NHS hospitals and clinics there are in the Uk but that figure quoted divided between, say just the bigger hospitals doesn’t seem all that much over two years.

If you were a Japanese tourist and you had a stroke and lost your speech and were sent to hospital here you wouldn’t think it a waste of resources to have the practical support from someone who speaks your language and could liaise on your behalf ..would you?

Agreed. How can non-English speakers be treated if they can’t communicate with doctors?

Whilst some examples of inefficiency seem obvious, others will be a classic case of comments from those not in possession of all the facts. I’m sure that most of us have heard observations about our own professions that those of us ‘in the field’ know are either outdated or simply nonsense. I know I have.

Normally the Works Department building or engineering supervisor for internal alterations carried out by their own department, it’s not an invoice, but a job sheet.

Doodledog

Granmarderby10

HowVeryDareYou I don’t know many NHS hospitals and clinics there are in the Uk but that figure quoted divided between, say just the bigger hospitals doesn’t seem all that much over two years.

If you were a Japanese tourist and you had a stroke and lost your speech and were sent to hospital here you wouldn’t think it a waste of resources to have the practical support from someone who speaks your language and could liaise on your behalf ..would you?

Agreed. How can non-English speakers be treated if they can’t communicate with doctors?

Whilst some examples of inefficiency seem obvious, others will be a classic case of comments from those not in possession of all the facts. I’m sure that most of us have heard observations about our own professions that those of us ‘in the field’ know are either outdated or simply nonsense. I know I have.

A lot of the interpreter costs are for sign language interpreters for people who are deaf, it’s not just for foreign languages.

I don’t know what it is like there but here if they are doing roadworks you usually get 6 people. One doing the work, one holding up a sign for traffic and 4 standing around with their hands in their pockets chatting. The young ones ( usually female) who hold up the traffic signs get paid a huge amount, presumably ‘ danger money’ More than nurses, teachers at any rate. Sometimes there are more people standing around chatting. Very noticeable because they have to wear orange vests.

nanna8

I don’t know what it is like there but here if they are doing roadworks you usually get 6 people. One doing the work, one holding up a sign for traffic and 4 standing around with their hands in their pockets chatting. The young ones ( usually female) who hold up the traffic signs get paid a huge amount, presumably ‘ danger money’ More than nurses, teachers at any rate. Sometimes there are more people standing around chatting. Very noticeable because they have to wear orange vests.

We used to notice that on our trips Down Under.
But I bet our potholes are bigger than your potholes

It can and does happen here but when they want to get on with a job, they certainly do!

At my GP surgery, there are many Polish patients, and interpreters are provided when necessary. However, I am sure if I were in Poland, I would have to provide and pay for my own interpreter.

Granmarderby10

HowVeryDareYou I don’t know many NHS hospitals and clinics there are in the Uk but that figure quoted divided between, say just the bigger hospitals doesn’t seem all that much over two years.

If you were a Japanese tourist and you had a stroke and lost your speech and were sent to hospital here you wouldn’t think it a waste of resources to have the practical support from someone who speaks your language and could liaise on your behalf ..would you?

DS1 did have a stroke while living in Japan! Although fluent in Japanese pre stroke, it was hard for him to remember it most stroke.

He was not offered an interpreter and, unless his wife was available, he had to rely on volunteers.

As for managers - I am sure that there would have been a manager for that particular job. They were obviously not doing their job either.

I broke my arm last year, after being attended to I was given some pain relief, can't remember what, with the instruction, also take Paracetamol if necessary. He also said 'sure you have some at home' we do with the added comment 'I won't give you those then what you pay pence for the NHS pays pounds for' Why,??? Multiply that item and umpteen other things that the NHS pays more than it should for all the hospitals round the country

The current NHS tariff price (what the NHS pays) for 32 paracetamol tablets (500mg) is 67 pence. Many NHS staff are completely ignorant about how drug prices work.

I was relating what the doctor told me a year ago, I presume he knew what he was talking about.

nanna8

I don’t know what it is like there but here if they are doing roadworks you usually get 6 people. One doing the work, one holding up a sign for traffic and 4 standing around with their hands in their pockets chatting. The young ones ( usually female) who hold up the traffic signs get paid a huge amount, presumably ‘ danger money’ More than nurses, teachers at any rate. Sometimes there are more people standing around chatting. Very noticeable because they have to wear orange vests.

Remember those in orange vest work out in all weathers. They do dirty jobs. They are often on call and cover 24/7 on a rota. They maintain our roads and railways, and keep our utilities working. They keep us safe. Yes we can all wait at the traffic lights and observe them thinking they are not doing much but we have no idea really what's involved.

If the power goes off in the middle of the night in January e.g. storm Eowyn they are called out to repair the overhead lines. That storm is out of the headlines now but men are still working to put things right. I'm sure they are paid well but they deserve it.

TerriBull

I was relating what the doctor told me a year ago, I presume he knew what he was talking about.

I might be wrong but - many patients demand paracetemol on prescription, cost over £9 when they can buy it for pennies. That may be what the doctor meant
After a fracture, I was discharged with a codeine prescription and advised to buy paracetemol

Oh that's possible Iam.

I think one of the problems with paracetamol is that it's only possible to buy 32? At a time. That's not many if you are taking a full dose every day. If you are in pain and struggling to get around you need to be able to buy in larger quantities.

It's up to people that live here to speak English. However, how many times have you seen a doctor or nurse you can't understand. It's a disgrace. If I font understand I say and ask them to get someone in that does.
NHS, too top heavy, nothing better than a Matron, sisters, nurses and auxiliaries. Now it's one overstretched nurse, food at the bottom of the bed that you can't get too and if you want the loo best of luck. It's a lottery getting into a good hospital and never ever get ill at weekends or a bank holiday. I have had brilliant treatment, but sitting in A and E fourteen hours whilst ill is no joke.

Yes I think that’s one reason for prescription requests Mamardoit. It would help if GPs could simply notify your named pharmacy but it’s another admin horror I’m sure

I know and if on the self service till you need to be checked that you're over 18 by a member of staff as with alcohol. We always have a stash at home. Where I live I could go to several supermarkets and chemists to get more than one pack if I had to.