NHS 'Listening Excercise' (Voting Time II: AV Avenger!)

[Ali]

Hello British AGSers!

(Relax, foreign AGSers, this doesn't concern you.)

Having discovered in this thread that these boards are swarming with beard-hugging tree-wearing socialists I'm asking you to respond to the:

Government's Listening Exercise on NHS Reform

It asks delightfully leading questions like "What else can be done to make patient choice a reality?", assuming that we believe that the introduction of free-market competition to the NHS spells anything other than disaster.

I am asking all the Brits I know to respond with a talking-loudly-and-crossly exercise, and that includes YOU (unless it doesn't).

- Ali

[Ali]

Alright, you apathetic so-and-sos, there's only 2 weeks left before the Government attempt to steamroller over public opinion.

Please sign this petition to make it slightly tougher for them:

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/Protect_our_NHS_Petition#petition

Here's a serio-comic rap song about NHS 'reform' to get you in the mood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl1jPqqTdNo

[Grim]

Whatever they do, it won't change things for the better, that's for sure...

Working for NHS myself, I have to say things got tougher the last few months. For nursing staff, like myself. My idea of resolving whatever problems NHS struggles with is to get rid of the number of black-suits that get paid lots more than us for doing... well, who knows what some of them are doing? Some of the recent schemes managed to eliminate some expensive staff, but somehow I don't see any new "foot-soldiers"- pardon my expression- arriving in their place.

 The way I see it- more  nurses will ensure patients will have better hospital experience and better care. It wil also ensure nurses go to a work environment they enjoy, instead of a slave-house. You can't expect people to work their asses off for 13 hours, sweat dripping down their necks, and still be able to smile and give everyone the same level of care and attention...

  Anyway, I might have totally misunderstood your question, but I'm not into that political mumbo-jumbo, that's all bollocks, really. What it is, is a bunch of people who have no idea what they're talking about making decisions for others, who have to suffer the consequences...  :'(

[Ali]

There are many aspects to the proposals, and I can't say how they'd affect your position although I don't believe they are likely to shrink the bureaucracy in the NHS.

In case my feelings in the debate aren't clear, what alarms me is the ideologically motivated introduction of competition and market forces in the NHS, something which began in the 80s but is being radically extended here. According to the government it will put GPs in control of budgets, paying for services from 'any willing provider' who compete on quality not cost.

Competition between providers is likely to block collaboration, and leave the public sector to deal with the unprofitable sides of healthcare. In spite of the government's claims, the proposals do allow competition on cost in 'exceptional circumstances' which is a very dangerous step in the direction of a US style healthcare system.

Ben Goldacre's Blog interestingly underlines the lack of solid evidence in support the proposed changes.