News1 min ago
Mental Health Cuts 'put Lives At Risk'
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Does anybody still think the Health Service is "safe in their hands" ?
The Tories have now been in power since 2010 ( in various forms ) but this review by the Kings Fund found there was now "widespread evidence of poor quality care".
I listened to the interview with "Kate" this morning on the Today Program, and it was shocking although not news to me as a family member has recently been in the same situation as her Dad. It was, and still is a harrowing experience for our family.
So ....when is this Government going to wake up and smell the coffee ?
Does anybody still think the Health Service is "safe in their hands" ?
The Tories have now been in power since 2010 ( in various forms ) but this review by the Kings Fund found there was now "widespread evidence of poor quality care".
I listened to the interview with "Kate" this morning on the Today Program, and it was shocking although not news to me as a family member has recently been in the same situation as her Dad. It was, and still is a harrowing experience for our family.
So ....when is this Government going to wake up and smell the coffee ?
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//Cuts to adult mental health services in England have started damaging the quality of care given to patients,//
This hasn't just started - it isn't new - it's been happening for years - long before this government was elected. That's not to say it's right - simply that the rot began when Mrs Thatcher's government introduced what they called 'Care in the Community' in, I think, 1993. The subsequent Labour governments, despite having years to address the issue, did sweet Fanny Adams to change it, so let us not allow petty personal politics to cloud the facts.
This hasn't just started - it isn't new - it's been happening for years - long before this government was elected. That's not to say it's right - simply that the rot began when Mrs Thatcher's government introduced what they called 'Care in the Community' in, I think, 1993. The subsequent Labour governments, despite having years to address the issue, did sweet Fanny Adams to change it, so let us not allow petty personal politics to cloud the facts.
mikey! mikey! there is no "coffee" to smell and there hasn't been for 40 years (in which Labour had a 10 year continuous spell).
The NHS is an anachronism,it is crumbling and has been for almost four decades, but that is what the British public are used to and that is what they don't want changing. My sympathy is with the Politicians, Labour and Tory, both realise that more privatisation is necessary, but both scared to implement it for different reasons.
The NHS is an anachronism,it is crumbling and has been for almost four decades, but that is what the British public are used to and that is what they don't want changing. My sympathy is with the Politicians, Labour and Tory, both realise that more privatisation is necessary, but both scared to implement it for different reasons.
Must disagree. Privatisation can't be a real solution, it can only attract wealth to those owning private health related industry and force folk to pay, thus creating a less equitable society. There is zero reason a publicly run health service has to cost more than a private one that wants profit in addition. The trick is to fund it properly and only get involved in the health areas that are important to ensure the budget isn't busted.
I'm sure the exceeding slow return to a decent economy created by the poor banking decisions is at least partly responsible for underfunding (not to mention sill stealing interest from savers to pay for the recovery) but that is no excuse not to ensure the existing budget isn't being used properly by the present government whoever it was. It's presently a public service, the public's representatives should have that much control.
I'm sure the exceeding slow return to a decent economy created by the poor banking decisions is at least partly responsible for underfunding (not to mention sill stealing interest from savers to pay for the recovery) but that is no excuse not to ensure the existing budget isn't being used properly by the present government whoever it was. It's presently a public service, the public's representatives should have that much control.
Sqad, last week there was an announcement in our area of a Large Metal Hospital closing, for a lot of person's that has worked there, me included this is a wrong thing to do, there are some very dangerous persons in there, we are told they will be moved to the Liverpool area, why move them, cause unemployment, disrupt the service users lives? a lot have been in that place for many ,many years all for the sake on money, I think a lot of money can be saved by cutting back on MPs Expenses / Taxis / Flats that they live in.
TWR...I don't know the facts and can't comment on the reasons for closing a large mental hospital although doubtless it will be for financial reasons.
TWR.....the NHS is unaffordable in it's present state and has been hemorrhaging tax payers money for years, which is completely unsustainable.......we can't afford it.
Direct taxation alone is not enough and private sector money is badly needed although this would be POLITICAL "hot potato."
Also the standard of health care is falling..........i.e we are getting less quality for our money.
TWR.....the NHS is unaffordable in it's present state and has been hemorrhaging tax payers money for years, which is completely unsustainable.......we can't afford it.
Direct taxation alone is not enough and private sector money is badly needed although this would be POLITICAL "hot potato."
Also the standard of health care is falling..........i.e we are getting less quality for our money.
TWR, MPs expenses are a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of running the NHS. It’s all very well complaining that people are being moved and jobs will be lost, but you have to remember that everything has to be paid for.
OG, //The trick is to fund it properly//
It is funded – well and truly. The trick is to get rid of the unassailable debt that NHS trusts have hanging around their necks and run it along the lines of private enterprise with Managers who really understand business in control. That way the money won’t be frittered away as it has been for years now. I don’t know if you’ve ever been a patient at a private hospital, but if you have you will know that everything is charged for – even an Ibuprofen tablet – and nothing is wasted. Good management, efficient well trained staff – even down to the cleaners, so incidents of hospital acquired infections which cost the NHS a fortune are rare - and it works.
OG, //The trick is to fund it properly//
It is funded – well and truly. The trick is to get rid of the unassailable debt that NHS trusts have hanging around their necks and run it along the lines of private enterprise with Managers who really understand business in control. That way the money won’t be frittered away as it has been for years now. I don’t know if you’ve ever been a patient at a private hospital, but if you have you will know that everything is charged for – even an Ibuprofen tablet – and nothing is wasted. Good management, efficient well trained staff – even down to the cleaners, so incidents of hospital acquired infections which cost the NHS a fortune are rare - and it works.
There is profligate waste in the NHS....have an op and see how many "just in case" drugs theyll give you to take away, even though you dont need them..and of course if you return them unopened they cant be re-issued....
The NHS is an uncontrollable behemoth...its too big to control effectively...simple laws of dynamic systems apply...doesnt matter which government is in power
The NHS is an uncontrollable behemoth...its too big to control effectively...simple laws of dynamic systems apply...doesnt matter which government is in power
Well when you consider that the NHS pays around 400 for an interpreter for people that done speak english (or their parents in the case of children) thats not too bad umm.
The NHS needs massive reform, what that reform is a matter for debate but if we do nothing then it will implode very shortly. Pumping more cash in is a total waste of time. The NHS has a huge amount of cash wasted on some very expensive administration that just does not seem to be tackled. That part could certainly be privatised or contracted out, but I'd suggest we get the like of Sugar/Branson/Rose to draw up the contract because public servants are useless.
The NHS needs massive reform, what that reform is a matter for debate but if we do nothing then it will implode very shortly. Pumping more cash in is a total waste of time. The NHS has a huge amount of cash wasted on some very expensive administration that just does not seem to be tackled. That part could certainly be privatised or contracted out, but I'd suggest we get the like of Sugar/Branson/Rose to draw up the contract because public servants are useless.
Naomi...its a pleasure to see you blame a certain Tory lady for the start of this problem ! I could have said that but, of course, if I had, I would been overwhelmed by waves of indignation from her hoards of adoring fans.
You are quite correct in saying that things didn't improve much when Labour came into power after the landslide victory of 1997. But a greater part of that landslide victory was due to the peoples increasing uneasiness with the NHS on the Tories watch, and the failed "Care in the Community" issue played a major part in their uneasiness. I saw at first hand all the clearly mentally ill people living Cardboard City, and in doorways along the length of every street of the West End, when I lived and worked up in Town for 2 years at the end of the 1980's. The NHS clearly wasn't "safe in their (Tory) hands" at all.
But the present Government can only go on blaming the previous administration, for so long, for all todays ills, especially when that previous administration had the same Prime Minister and Chancellor as it does now.
dave and Osborne have been in power now for 5.5 years, and its about time they took responsibility for their actions.
The Report from the Kings Fund ( an independent charity working to improve health and health care in England) makes it perfectly clear that the present situation is dire and getting worse.
You are quite correct in saying that things didn't improve much when Labour came into power after the landslide victory of 1997. But a greater part of that landslide victory was due to the peoples increasing uneasiness with the NHS on the Tories watch, and the failed "Care in the Community" issue played a major part in their uneasiness. I saw at first hand all the clearly mentally ill people living Cardboard City, and in doorways along the length of every street of the West End, when I lived and worked up in Town for 2 years at the end of the 1980's. The NHS clearly wasn't "safe in their (Tory) hands" at all.
But the present Government can only go on blaming the previous administration, for so long, for all todays ills, especially when that previous administration had the same Prime Minister and Chancellor as it does now.
dave and Osborne have been in power now for 5.5 years, and its about time they took responsibility for their actions.
The Report from the Kings Fund ( an independent charity working to improve health and health care in England) makes it perfectly clear that the present situation is dire and getting worse.
For as lonfg a sI can remember their have been stories about dire consequences if more money isn't given for this, that and the other in the NHS. The reality is, we are spending more and more on the NHS each year and it's the envy of the world. (And people from all over the world want to use it.). if we increased spending by 20% I am sure it would still be seen a insufficient- whenever a service is free to use, demand will increase to fill any capacity
I worked predominantly in the private sector mikey and departments/divsions were forever having to reorganise so as to do more work - and usually with a reduced budget.
However, I'm sure some improvements need to be made in this area, and maybe some short term funding would make things easier. I bet once mental health gets it's funding though there will be calls for more funds for another area
However, I'm sure some improvements need to be made in this area, and maybe some short term funding would make things easier. I bet once mental health gets it's funding though there will be calls for more funds for another area
mikey......you are and have always been a Socialist.......nothing wrong in that.
The NHS is the pinnacle of the Welfare State.....nothing wrong in that.
The NHS in the hands of the Tories will always be to you totally unacceptable.......nothing wrong in that.
To be fair, probably half the population of the UK would agree with you and that is causing the problem which is prohibiting any change in an organisation which clearly is in need of re-organisation.
"Care in the Community" ...I remember that era well. It was brought about by the public, screaming and shouting that the mentally ill incarcerated in old fashioned "Mental Homes" was a disgrace and almost demanded that the government of the time "did something about it" and so they did.
Unfortunately the "Community " was ill prepared for the immigration of mentally ill people who's numbers have increased since that time.
Criticism of the NHS has been regarded as something equaling treason in the UK and this hasn't helped. Whistle blowers have been sacked, statistics and studies have been manipulated to suppress the failures of the NHS and you still say, the Tories are at fault.
I really do despair mikey.
The NHS is the pinnacle of the Welfare State.....nothing wrong in that.
The NHS in the hands of the Tories will always be to you totally unacceptable.......nothing wrong in that.
To be fair, probably half the population of the UK would agree with you and that is causing the problem which is prohibiting any change in an organisation which clearly is in need of re-organisation.
"Care in the Community" ...I remember that era well. It was brought about by the public, screaming and shouting that the mentally ill incarcerated in old fashioned "Mental Homes" was a disgrace and almost demanded that the government of the time "did something about it" and so they did.
Unfortunately the "Community " was ill prepared for the immigration of mentally ill people who's numbers have increased since that time.
Criticism of the NHS has been regarded as something equaling treason in the UK and this hasn't helped. Whistle blowers have been sacked, statistics and studies have been manipulated to suppress the failures of the NHS and you still say, the Tories are at fault.
I really do despair mikey.
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