Is anyone else concerned about the current state of the NHS? Apart from the numerous ongoing pay disputes, I'm worried that the standard of healthcare is rapidly going down. My mother in law recently went into hospital with a serious heart condition. After some initial tests she was discharged, but needs an urgent heart operation. We've been absolutely shocked at the lack of follow up care. This is a woman in her 80s, living alone, with some major life threatening health issues, and has trouble even walking around. You could not imagine a more vulnerable person, yet there has been no ongoing support whatsoever. No checking, no routine care. The system has completely washed it's hands of her. Got to say it's been a real eye opener. And btw I paid for her to have a stairlift installed, out of my own pocket, there was no assistance even for that vital piece of equipment.
I don't think this is an isolated case. There was another elderly gentleman at the hospital, who actually asked my wife if she could drive him home. The hospital had similarly discharged him, without even checking he could get home. He had no transport, and no phone!
So I'm quite concerned that these are symptoms of under-funding and neglect. The NHS is a very valuable resource to this country. I would not like to see us going down the full healthcare privatisation route, like they have in the US. Over there, people go bankrupt through medical bills. What's the answer? Can the UK now not afford a public healtcare system?!
It's a very worrying time for sure. Underfunding is a massive issue, as is staff retention. I know in our own local hospitals and GP surgeries, recruiting doctors is very difficult. Whole wards and departments end up being closed because they cannot be safely staffed. I don't know if this is an issue nationwide, or just something that is local to Pembrokeshire though. My own personal experience of NHS in recent years has been quite mixed. My two grandfathers passed away about 18 months apart from each and both received amazing care in hospital. Their final days were made as peaceful as possible and as a family we couldn't have asked for anything more. On the other hand though, I know of family who have been waiting years on waiting lists with no end in sight. It is very hit or miss. I think to abandon the NHS would be a disaster for the UK. It isn't perfect but as you rightly point out, the private model is the US is an awful solution. I think we need the government to be honest with the population about how much it will cost to repair the NHS and where that money needs to come from.
With the current waiting lists being so bad, there are a lot of people out of work who would work if they were well enough to do so. Maybe medium to large businesses could pay an extra NHS tax/levy to help get those waiting lists down. If this could reduce waiting lists and worker shortages, surely it would be a long term benefit to them?
It's definitely worrying. I have heard of similar cases to your mother in law and I have a blogger friend who's operation of a different nature has been cancelled several times now, the latest near the last minute with no clue to when she be offered again.