NHS warnings not heeded by government

THE deepening crisis in the National Health Service has come about as a direct result of Government failing to take heed of countless warnings about proper investment required to service the needs of an increasing population, up ten per cent in the past ten years, plus longer life expectancy.

As human beings, our priorities are food, clothing, a roof over our heads and health. So for governments to prioritise vanity projects such as HS2 and plane-less aircraft carriers over health at a time when the nation’s books did not and still do not balance has been very poor stewardship.

To correct the current unacceptable situation, it is time for some “out of the box” thinking and positive action now.

Firstly, the Government should set up a task force to take over a selection of large hotels, recruit qualified staff from the private sector, and transfer all bedblocking patients out of those hospitals struggling to cope, thus freeing up beds for the seriously ill needing help now.

Secondly, properly fund, with immediate effect, medical staff, particularly nurses and junior doctors who have fallen behind in terms of pay due entirely to government policies. Retention of present staff is vital.

Thirdly, accept the fact that for the foreseeable future, health is going to require a considerable increase in funding. It takes five years to train a doctor, and nursing is now a degree profession. An aging and increasing population is going to need a lot more medical staff and investment in plant and equipment to address the current dreadful shortfall. So a larger slice of cake has to be allocated to address this requirement.

Finally, society has to accept the fact that a longer life span in terms of health support is going to cost a lot more money, and this will have to come from tax-payers. I believe, if the Government was to guarantee that an additional tax would be used solely for health, the majority of the electorate would accept this.

Doing nothing now, is not an option.