The NHS at 60
Posted by Lee Scott, MP for Ilford North, at 15:12, Wed 11 June 2008:
This is the 60th birthday of the National Health Service. We must recognise the dedication and professional commitment of the vast majority of its staff. However, we need an honest assessment of what we are getting right and what we are getting wrong in the NHS.
A recent review of heath services in London suggested a major reorganisation of hospital services in the capital and called for 150 new ‘polyclinics’ This will not improve the NHS and there are huge questions of how it could be funded. There will be huge cuts in services, our local GP surgeries will disappear and most patients would travel further for treatment. This is not what patients want.
There are key questions that need to be answered in a 21st century health service. These include how will we fund it, will we be able to end the ‘post code lottery’ on available treatments, do centrally imposed targets work, are there lessons we can learn from abroad? There are many more.
As a serving Member of Parliament I want to hear your views and experiences of the NHS.
Lee Scott
Comments
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Posted by Maggy Farrow, 15:46, Wed 11 June 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
Is there anything left that this government can destroy. Of course the Health Service needs to be improved, but not by slaughtering it like this. Let the proferssionals get on with their jobs without the nonsense of targets. What doctor, nurse, teacher etc doesn't have the well being of their patients or students upermost in their minds. Meeting targets means that they are addressing them rather than get on with their jobs.It is only occasionally that the two coincide. As usual it is another ill conceived idea from another politician who feels that they have to make their mark. The lunatics are running the asylum.
Posted by Alec Kemp, 16:09, Wed 11 June 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
I want a GP service which is local and also I want to be able to see the same person each time I go. Someone who gets to know me and does not have to read about me on the computer every time I go because they have never seen me before.
As far as the NHS is concerned I think the difficulties are that there are too many managers and not enough nurses and doctors on the ground floor. I also think there is too much paper work. I know notes need to be made but it seems the paper work is more important that patient contact. I also do not think it has worked contracting work out like catering, cleaning and repair men. I could go on and on!
Alec Kemp