Act responsibly to preserve our NHS

OUR reports today on Swansea’s Morriston Hospital and about the cost of attending hospital A&E departments and GP surgeries should remind us not to take our NHS for granted.

Healthcare is extremely expensive, as those who don’t have the advantage of a free-at-the-pointof-delivery service realise only too well. The cost of medical appointments in countries like the United States, whose approach to health treatment is governed by private profit rather than public good, is far higher than the notional price in the UK.

Right-wing ideologues in America seek to disparage the NHS as an example of “socialised health care”, suggesting that patients are better off paying for treatment rather than waiting their turn as they are expected to in a system funded out of general taxation.

The idea of a health service that is free at the point of delivery is hard-wired into our psyche to the point where it has long been politically unacceptable to criticise the NHS as an institution. It may be all right to take issue with the way it’s run, but questioning its right to exist is beyond the pale.

But like every other public service, there is a finite amount of money available to be spent on it – and all of us have a responsibility to help ensure that what resources are available are spent wisely.

Individuals should ask themselves whether or not they would go to a hospital A&E unit for treatment if they were having to pay for the cost of their visit.

Some of us would do so if the reason for visiting was genuine, and if we could afford the fee, but many who could pay for the appointment might be unwilling to go through with it if the visit wasn’t really necessary.

All of us have a duty to be responsible when using the NHS’ facilities.

Because it is a collectively provided service rather than one geared simply to satisfying individual customers, we need to recognise that if we abuse it others may not get the attention they deserve at the right time.

In doing so, we will be taking on board the message of NHS founder Aneurin Bevan, who was insistent that all should have free access to its treatment and services, as they were required.

Long may that be the case, and may we always be able to get access to the NHS when we need it.

Acting responsibly when using the NHS is the best means available to us of ensuring that it survives long into the future.