Can we save the NHS from political interference?
The current financial deficit within the NHS seems to be a consequence of high agency staff costs, increased demand, very poor management, repeated, non-evidence based, government reorganisations, and a workforce that has been cut to the bone.
The consequences of these and other changes have seemed obvious to so many in the profession, usually those at the coal face, in the emergency departments and the overbooked clinics. Add to that the change in workforce demographics and poor Royal College policies (Nursing 2000 anyone?), and I struggle to see a solution other than starting to tell the truth.
The electorate wants a high-funded health service, but is not prepared to pay for it. Politicians lack the courage to talk about rationing – but we have been doing that since year zero.
I am just a consultant in a large, busy hospital. I try to do my best. I have watched managers come and go, including members of my own profession who go into management, very few of whom have any of the attributes of good leadership.
The chief executive where I work I think is very good. But I think they have an impossible job. Answers are not easy, but I think it is time to move the health of the nation out of the hands of politicians, because they do not have the insight, the long-term vision, or durability (and why should they when they seek reelection every five years?) to make the brave decisions. David Patch Consultant Physician, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 I would like to express my horror and exasperation at Mary Dejevsky’s article “When junior doctors say it’s not about the money, they’re lying” (9 October).
Of course, junior doctors are concerned about the huge drop in salary, along with all the other things we are concerned about.
Doctors do not do the job for the money. We deal with very difficult situations every day and night. We look after you, your parents and children and spend more time with our patients than our own families.
We do it because it’s life-fulfilling. We are not wrong to want the financial stability to pay the mortgages and childcare that we are already committed to. Dr Lucy Salmons Oxford