Twilight's Disciples : Forum : The NHS


The NHS

14 Years Ago


No doubt many of you will have read news of Obama's stepmother's praise of the NHS-at a time when America is creating it's own version of our health care system.

In the article, Kezia Obama reveals how the NHS saved her life when she suffered severe kidney failure and how five years ago, she was able to get a hip replacement on the NHS.

Obama praises the system, stating how they took care of her like she was one of their own.

Now, I found this article a bit hard to swallow. I've lived in England all my life and was on the NHS system until the age of 16 when I had to start paying for any prescriptions I might need. I had never really had a problem with the NHS before 1997, aside from rediculously long waiting lists.

In 1997, my youngest sister was born and, due to gross medical neglect, she was born with cerebral palsy. She wasn't diagnosed until she was two, when my mother was told by the consultant that the information she had on cerebral palsy she couldn't have, as the consultant was saving it for the next family-who happened to be of an ethnic origin. (No, I'm not being racist, the consultant actually said that.)

Over the last 12 years, my mother has battled constantly to get good care for my sister, including health checks and specialised schooling.

But it doesn't end here. In July this year, my nephew was born and has also been diagnosed as disabled-we almost lost him only last week because of his illness. Again, the problem was caused by MEDICAL NEGLECT. (The neglect in this case being the consultant not monitoring the pregnancy properly and not switching my sister's heart medication, even though he knew that it could cause disability/deformity in unborn babies.)

I, too, have been neglected by the NHS; during my first pregnancy, I went for the ENTIRE 38 weeks without seeing a midwife until the day before my son was born. And all because of a waiting list. I'm now 10 weeks into my second pregnancy and still have yet to see a midwife.

What I want to know is how many others out there feel the same way about the health care system as I do? I know I'm not the only one to be let down by it, and I know others have suffered way worse than I. What do you think the problem is? Is it the government, always promising to put badly needed money into the system and then never actually doing it? Or is it the doctors themselves? Over worked? Over stressed?

What's your view on our health care system and what can be done to improve it?

[no subject]

14 Years Ago


Thanks for your detailed contribution, D. E. Key. Well, I admit to not knowing of any solutions which would be guaranteed to make a massive difference. Without a doubt, taxpayers are already overburdened. Raising taxation is never popular (og course), but even less so, during the curent economic climate. Therefore, the private sector should become more involved.

I have not had any seriously bad experiences with the NHS, although there is one which I don't wish to disclose here. Then again, ironically, the solution came from an alternative source within the NHS system! That's life, for you!

A lot of money could be saved, by removing many of the unnecessary administrative staff. Also, why are there so many unnecessary operations? I mean, medical procedures which are not really essential? What do the rest of you think? Over to you!

 

Julian

[no subject]

14 Years Ago


My answer to that would be exactly where is the taxpayers money going then? I see no evidence of it in our schools, in our local councils or our economy.
I'd pay extra NI if it meant my children would get decent health care, a decent education and good future prospects. But because the money just seems to be paying for MP's expenses claims, of course people will be ticked off about it.
If I could afford to go private, I would. But why should I have to pay X amount a month just so I could actually get an appointment when I need one?

[no subject]

14 Years Ago


Thanks for your reply, D. Yes, a lot of people must be sharing your frustration at the lack of transparency over how taxpayers' money is spent by the NHS. I have heard this said, on more than one occasion. As I suggested, some considerable savings could be made (as pointed out). Sadly, with our economy in such a terrible mess, it's going to be quite some time, before there is any new investment in the NHS. Not a good time for reforms, either? What do you think?

The UK Independence Party (which I am a member of) does intend to support our NHS, whilst the three largest political parties continue to make similar claims. So, who do YOU trust? Over to you!

 

Julian