Short-term outlook is a threat to the NHS
THE NHS was founded over 70 years ago in a revolutionary departure from the hotch-potch of inadequate and, for the many, unaffordable health care that existed.
The idea to provide universal healthcare was visionary, not only in terms of how expansive it was, but a socialised service free at the point of use
With this in mind, the current plans for Leicester’s hospitals seem incredibly myopic. It isn’t a small amount, but given that the £450 million being invested is based on plans that run only until 2024, it seems unbelievably short-term.
In terms of delivering major infrastructure projects, 2024 has been and gone.
Based on this, is it a surprise that, with such limited future planning, so many people are writing into the Leicester Mercury to express their concerns about our future healthcare provision?
Its under-funding, “sticking plaster” fixes to structural problems, underpaid and overworked staff, and a complete lack of a holistic, long-term plan are creating disconnected healthcare provision, scandalous private public partnerships and an NHS that runs from one crisis to another.
With waiting times for routine operations going up exponentially, we are in desperate need for more hospitals like the General, not fewer.
We need a genuine long-term plan for Leicester’s health care, not a predetermined consultation that has been pushed through in a global pandemic.
Satinder Toor, Evington