What can WE do to improve health care in the UK?

[Carakeel]

I know that the first thing people will suggest is to vote in the General Elections. But what does that change? Subsequent governments have eroded the NHS to an extent where it is costing thousands of lives each year. I get so angry when I read in the papers yet again about how effective cancer drugs, available throughout Europe, are being denied patients in this country who desperately need them. The government can spend billions on fighting wars in countries that do not even want British presence, but not on providing essential medication, medical staff, treatments and education throughout the UK. There is a massive shortage of flu vaccinations for the elderly. My GP was just here to see my nearly 90 yr old mum and had to tell us that she won't be able to get her flu & pneumonia vaccination till December! Even he is appalled by the state of the NHS and the lack of appropriate drugs. Alzheimer's sufferers are being denied medication that can hold back the disease in the early stages etc etc etc. Breast cancer units are being closed due to cuts in funding by this government. When will any of this change? How many more people, young and old, must we lose to negligence on the part of the NHS and the stupidity of NICE???

This country used to be highly respected and admired for its education system and its health services. Now it is rapidly becoming the laughing stock of Europe, while the UK government spends billions on fighting wars we cannot win in foreign countries that do not want us on their soil! And more and more parents are left to mourn their lost children.

How can we change things? Your opinions please ...

[Carakeel]

Thanks Wardy, I think that is a really good answer actually! How is the car?

[Octavius]

Live healthier lives.

[Carakeel]

Hope time flies then for you Wardy.

[whiffey]

Yes of course we all want better healthcare - but no way do we want to pay for it, oh no no, that's the 'Government's' problem. Increase taxes ? Scream no ! Increase efficiency, cut costs, cut cut cut.

We've lost sight of a caring society and state, because we all want loads and loads more money to spend on our own pleasures. That works brilliantly until you fall ill. Illness happens to other people, like wars, until it strikes at home.

This is so blind and so sad.

[blue eyes ;)]

i have private healthcare,that way i know im getting th best treatment and quickly!!

[RATTER15]

Whilst I would like to see a packet of cigarettes go to �25.00 it will never happen because people would never buy them, and what would the government do without all those millions of ���� generated by the taxes levied on cigarettes!! In reality I doubt if the government could afford to ban them, they just like to make the right noises.

[muffty]

Stop giving free treatment to people who do not live in this country.

Please don't come back at me with this P111 form for claiming free treatment in European countries, it works for anyone visiting here, but we have a difficult job claiming when visiting abroad.

[Liney]

Oh dear. I feel for your mum, Carakeel. You would think that asking for a flu vaccine earlier would take pressure off when the rush comes in in December wouldn't you? But Muffty, I'm afraid I have to disagree. This is one of the richest countries in the world, and if you don't accept responsiblity when people get sick here then how can you expect others to take care of you when you are abroad?

[curiosity]

I think we do accept responsibility and as an NHS worker for 23years, actually think that people are getting a better service and it's mainly because people are living to a greater age, more illnesses/conditions etc are treatable and therefore people have higher expectations. It would be great if everyone could have the best health check ever and get every little or major symptom sorted ASAP, but it doesn't work like that. NHS Trusts need to prioritise as do any budget holders, as do you in your household. What would you do Carakeel?

[chitchat]

The NHS was never designed to cope with a population of 60 million. All non Brits should pay their own way. There have been reports that some people are coming in from abroad with the intention of getting free medical help. Walking into A&E and getting free emergency treatment because they have to pay for it at home. That makes my blood boil.

Carakeel also makes a good point about the Government spending money fighting wars in foreign countries whilst our own people suffer because of lack of funding in the NHS etc. MPs are out of touch with the real world because they probably all have private health insurance anyway so why do they care?

[Carakeel]

curiosity. Please understand I am not criticising the nurses and doctors so much as the administration, those who decide on how funding is spent and in the main the government.

For 10 years I ran a charity after my son's untimely death. Fulfilling a promise I had made to my son, I set the charity up to help seriously ill patients gain access to the appropriate leading specialists for their conditions. With the help of many of the UK's leading doctors as well as others in other countries we were able to help save just over 4500 lives in the ten years that I ran the charity. We covered patients with over 1200 different serious disorders. So, I have had discussions with well over a hundred doctors on this subject. Without exception, all were of the opinion that the NHS was being severely eroded due to underfunding, over-administration and mismanagement of funds. I had a meeting in the "lion's den" Wellington House with the Chief Medical Officer at which time I made a few recommendations to him.
(continued)

[Carakeel]

(continuation)
Having experienced and discussed with doctors the medical systems in a several other countries, I suggested that the government / health ministers might want to look at how France (and a few other countries) funds its services, then adapt some of these practices for the UK. He practically turned a beetroot red and in a very cross tone proclaimed "Madam, this is the BRITISH NHS, we have no need to look to other countries for advice! You have no right to criticise the NHS! You have no medical background!" Needless to say the meeting ended soon after, but not before I told him that, as mistakes by the NHS had caused the death of my son, I had every right to criticise that NHS and suggest improvements be made. I also told him that it was ignorant people like him who held back the many great doctors and nurses we have in this country. I had in fact gone to see this man with the backing of leading UK medical specialists and he knew that as I had it in writing!

So, yes, among many other things, I would look at the way in which France funds its National Health Service and take what can be adapted to suit. I would also give more of the decision making within the NHS back to the doctors. But the list is long and impossible to put on here.