When will problems of NHS be sorted?
CHELTENHAM residents may have noticed that local MP Alex Chalk has been promoted to Solicitor General, presumably in recognition of his abilities but also no doubt his loyalty to the Government.
But one has to question if he has been doing an equally good job for Cheltenham, and the citizens who elected him.
Labour minister Aneurin Bevan, who set up the NHS, said: “The essence of a satisfactory health service is that the rich and the poor are treated alike, that poverty is not a disability, and wealth is not advantaged”.
On that measure, we have an extremely unsatisfactory health service, as the rich and poor are certainly not treated alike.
Many in Cheltenham have relatives and friends who have been told they have to wait 18 months for their knee operation, or a year for back surgery, or six months for a bypass, or they won’t get a gastric endoscopy unless things get worse, etc.
However, if they have private insurance, or can delve into often meagre savings, the operation can be arranged in a matter of weeks.
In fact, today, private hospitals are delivering more hip and knee replacements than the NHS – and often using the same surgeon. Why?
The often-heard mantra that NHS treatment will be ‘free at the point of delivery’ is clearly a deceit when it means months, or even years of suffering; when you are forced to go outside the NHS because the delays are intolerable.
Further, we already know Covid handling by this Government has been a catalogue of corruption and fiascos on many fronts, but surely their treatment of nurses is particularly despicable.
NHS staff have worked exceptionally long hours and been greatly exposed to Covid risk, yet the nurses are offered a 3% pay rise.
What is the point of clapping for the NHS, when it comes showing meaningful appreciation the Government tells them to get lost?
So, is our MP going to do anything about the Cheltenham and Gloucester hospital waiting times, or support in Parliament a proper pay increase for NHS staff?
Frank Chacko
Cheltenham