Richard Murphy, the political economist, completely rebuts the notion that the “money isn’t there”. He has a TikTok account that summarises his thinking if you are interested.
The NHS needs urgent help and should not have to wait until the situation deteriorates from the appalling mess it is in already. The Labour Party seems likely to use the private sector which is yet another long-term issue, as once private healthcare has a foot in the door they then get rooted and take on more and more services. The private sector does not offer anything better and is not superior. In my experience the private hospitals, in which I had the misfortune in which be treated were inferior in every way!
It is frightening as the government are not listening to the electorate and only ever seem to think in the short-term. Private health companies may offer cheap services initially [often inferior too] but they will be wanting to renew their contracts in time and then no doubt will put prices up. Commissioning is a long process and each time a contract ends another has to be made. The NHS is currently not joined up, one service doesn’t appear to speak to another. Private services do not communicate with the public service. Social care is a disaster and privatisation has been a disaster - do governments never learn? A long term plan is needed for preservation of the NHS without private companies involvement on any level, including management! Nurses should never have to pay for their training as much of it is spent on the wards - nursing! They also need decent pay! Doctors also need decent salaries and shorter working hours particularly in hospitals. Decent public investment [no private money at all!] in all areas of the NHS and long term planning to enable it to be the best for the British population and a service of which to be proud.
As a large percentage of those most likely to die will be pensioners, would it be nasty of me to suggest this is part of Rachel Reeves balancing her budget deficit by saving on state pensions??
Gosh Gerard, such an awful thought. I genuinely don’t know how politicians sleep at night, given that so many people are dying because they can’t access healthcare.
I hate to be cynical but it’s quite possible that controlling costs will include ‘culling’ the elderly.
Here in the USA we’re on our own. HMOs will only reimburse a portion of costs for long term nursing care with the savings of pensioners facing total depletion within months. Care facilities are overwhelmed with work as so many qualified personnel have left due to either physical exhaustion or low pay. It isn’t uncommon to find facilities hiring on individuals with not only professional training and experience but at times prone to physically abusing residents.
I’d like to see forensic accountants get sight of the NHS funding records. I’m sure all the corruption of PPE contracts were assigned to the NHS, plus the multi-billion failed Test & Trace contract. I’m inclined to believe that the NHS is not the financial disaster the government claims. Why do we just accept their claims?
Haaa no I doubt it Sue, am deeply cynical about all of them to be honest. I think they’re broadly much too apologetic about the things politicians do!!
Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting have in the past shown their utter disdain for human life in backing Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians and doing nothing while rogue mobs destroyed temporary homes set up for refugees.
The only time people count for them is when an election is near.
I am cynical for a reason, make pensioners wait on a list , leave them hours having chest pains or a fall waiting for ambulances, stop regular check ups for a few years with consultants , make them wait weeks to see gp ,get rid of the old quicker , brings down waiting !ists and you don't have to pay them any more pension . We should be able to enjoy retirement, not be treated like the government's burden .Meanwhile turn up in a dingy at Dover having everything just given to you costing billions .Send money to other countries while people die on the streets in Britain , what about all the covid contracts handed out to pals , they are all corrupt it has to stop , I don't think a lot of OAP's will be around long enough to see things change .Please carry on fighting Julia God bless you
Oh John isn’t that a terrible thought - especially given how much older people have contributed to the country? This government (and the last) certainly are not focusing enough on older people and more vulnerable people in general.
On a recent trip to AndE after several 111 replies an ambulance advised me to go in car as a very long wait , I was I real pain and had been for days , could not take any more, so after hours of wait I see doctor .tell him about severe pain , wife tells him she made me come as she thought i might top myself! its that bad.His answer heres a script for two large bottles of morphine goidbye.This is not the care I expected.
Richard Murphy, the political economist, completely rebuts the notion that the “money isn’t there”. He has a TikTok account that summarises his thinking if you are interested.
He’s brilliant! Totally agree- I recommend Richard’s work all the time 👍
Oh yeah you get a mention in his blog comments today.
The NHS needs urgent help and should not have to wait until the situation deteriorates from the appalling mess it is in already. The Labour Party seems likely to use the private sector which is yet another long-term issue, as once private healthcare has a foot in the door they then get rooted and take on more and more services. The private sector does not offer anything better and is not superior. In my experience the private hospitals, in which I had the misfortune in which be treated were inferior in every way!
It is so concerning to see the new government behave like this, isn’t it Angie?
It is frightening as the government are not listening to the electorate and only ever seem to think in the short-term. Private health companies may offer cheap services initially [often inferior too] but they will be wanting to renew their contracts in time and then no doubt will put prices up. Commissioning is a long process and each time a contract ends another has to be made. The NHS is currently not joined up, one service doesn’t appear to speak to another. Private services do not communicate with the public service. Social care is a disaster and privatisation has been a disaster - do governments never learn? A long term plan is needed for preservation of the NHS without private companies involvement on any level, including management! Nurses should never have to pay for their training as much of it is spent on the wards - nursing! They also need decent pay! Doctors also need decent salaries and shorter working hours particularly in hospitals. Decent public investment [no private money at all!] in all areas of the NHS and long term planning to enable it to be the best for the British population and a service of which to be proud.
We need more brilliant people like you Angie!!
As a large percentage of those most likely to die will be pensioners, would it be nasty of me to suggest this is part of Rachel Reeves balancing her budget deficit by saving on state pensions??
Gosh Gerard, such an awful thought. I genuinely don’t know how politicians sleep at night, given that so many people are dying because they can’t access healthcare.
I hate to be cynical but it’s quite possible that controlling costs will include ‘culling’ the elderly.
Here in the USA we’re on our own. HMOs will only reimburse a portion of costs for long term nursing care with the savings of pensioners facing total depletion within months. Care facilities are overwhelmed with work as so many qualified personnel have left due to either physical exhaustion or low pay. It isn’t uncommon to find facilities hiring on individuals with not only professional training and experience but at times prone to physically abusing residents.
Excuse me. I meant to say “It isn’t uncommon to find facilities hiring on individuals with no professional training and experience.”
I’d like to see forensic accountants get sight of the NHS funding records. I’m sure all the corruption of PPE contracts were assigned to the NHS, plus the multi-billion failed Test & Trace contract. I’m inclined to believe that the NHS is not the financial disaster the government claims. Why do we just accept their claims?
There are think tanks analysing the money and I do tend to trust their analysis (although I often feel it is overly sympathetic to privatisation etc).
You certainly have more faith in think tanks than I do, Ju!
Haaa no I doubt it Sue, am deeply cynical about all of them to be honest. I think they’re broadly much too apologetic about the things politicians do!!
They’ll get no acceptance from me until they disclose their donors. As for those at 55 Tufton Street, their Charity status should be revoked.
Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting have in the past shown their utter disdain for human life in backing Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians and doing nothing while rogue mobs destroyed temporary homes set up for refugees.
The only time people count for them is when an election is near.
I have a debt of gratitude to the NHS. 25 years ago it literally saved my life. Everything you say resonates with me.
I am cynical for a reason, make pensioners wait on a list , leave them hours having chest pains or a fall waiting for ambulances, stop regular check ups for a few years with consultants , make them wait weeks to see gp ,get rid of the old quicker , brings down waiting !ists and you don't have to pay them any more pension . We should be able to enjoy retirement, not be treated like the government's burden .Meanwhile turn up in a dingy at Dover having everything just given to you costing billions .Send money to other countries while people die on the streets in Britain , what about all the covid contracts handed out to pals , they are all corrupt it has to stop , I don't think a lot of OAP's will be around long enough to see things change .Please carry on fighting Julia God bless you
Oh John isn’t that a terrible thought - especially given how much older people have contributed to the country? This government (and the last) certainly are not focusing enough on older people and more vulnerable people in general.
On a recent trip to AndE after several 111 replies an ambulance advised me to go in car as a very long wait , I was I real pain and had been for days , could not take any more, so after hours of wait I see doctor .tell him about severe pain , wife tells him she made me come as she thought i might top myself! its that bad.His answer heres a script for two large bottles of morphine goidbye.This is not the care I expected.