The NHS is collapsing - what can we do?

[FedUpWithTheNHS]

First of all, I am not interested to do more bashing on GPs, NHS, nurses and whatnot. I sincerely do not think the issue is with them. So let's leave it at that.

But I have been trying to get some support for myself and struggle to get anywhere.
I have family members who have been waiting months, turning into years for severe issues and they are left in pain and scared.
I read threads on here (the one on sepsis, cancer scare etc...) and it's more of the same.

The system is collapsing but there isn't a private sector to pick up the pieces. I had to wait 4 mnths to see a cardiologist privately.... And now another 6 weeks to be able to have the prescription from my GP (At more than £100 per month, I just can't afford to get said prescription privately).
It very much feels like we are left to die, from no healthcare, tbh.

So far, I have written to my MP.
I am supporting groups working against the 'privatisation of the NHS'.
I'd vote Labour but tbh, just now, I can't say theyve filled me with confidence they will actually do what is needed. Which is increasing funding and ensuring doctors and nurses are staying in the UK and the NHS (at the very least)

What else can I, we, do?
I feel like we need to start shouting. LOUD. Very loud. But I am at loss as to what else I can do :((

Yet again total right wing lunacy. "Self inflicted", "time wasters".

It's just propaganda, can't you see that? Most users of the NHS aren't either. They're old, it comes to everyone.

It's such an elementary fallacy. Most healthcare goes on people who are either old or desperately unlucky. Nothing to do with their own behaviour.

What happened before the current obesity trend?

No idea. Perhaps the mentality of the people living there? Which bad outcomes do you mean exactly?

The NHS is collapsing because people are lazy and can’t be bothered to take care of the basics.

This is a great example of declining educational standards...

Which part of what Labour are proposing do you like?

What is it specifically that appeals

Can I make a point re: prescribed ibuprofen/ paracetamol? It's not as simple as buying a packet for 99p in Boots? Some people with chronic pain are prescribed higher doses of the medicines than you can get over-the-counter. E.g. My mother has 800mg ibuprofen which is prescribed by our GP.

I went to see my GP last June. I was referred as urgent. I have chased them up to be told they don't have the waiting list times. I had a phone call about a month ago asking if I still wanted the appointment. I'm also a nurse, working full time, so I see both sides of the coin. I agree OP the NHS is collapsing and I absolutely hate the tories 😡

Germany

In 2021, the UK spent $5,387 per capita on healthcare. France spent $6,115 and Germany spent $7,383.

I've also never met someone who rocked up to A&E 'just because'. A lot of people seem to be quite reluctant to go to hospital because they don't want to 'waste the NHS's time', even if they're genuinely ill.

And that’s a long term view that might be able to help several years down the line.

What about NOW?

What about the people who are dying in ambulances waiting to be seen?
The ones who are diagnosed too late from cancer etc….

Tough decisions are required and we need to have a good look at our lifestyles and choices

The main issue is people getting older & no matter how healthy you are things start to go wrong as you age.

oh the NHS just needs to be more efficient and and have fewer managers"

I was thinking more about department not be able to talk to one another - even when prescribing medication so you end up with 16 different pills and no idea what to stop because they only deal with their area and bad interactions are someone lese problem. Or fact DM was only told about discharge day before and then they insisted they set up care and hadn't - district nurse constantly failing to turn up with supplies and then moaning they have to go and fetch them - FIL discharged with catheter in at weekend with no explication about care or explanation about pills left with him.

DN was wrongly treated for 18 months because no-one checked an x-ray and saw she'd need an operation - friend wrongly treated 2 years causing complication because no one read the blood results ordered.

My Dad was left a week on a A&E ward extension - were no-one took ownership while waiting for a bed - family found him constantly wet and dressing not changed - once in a coma due to diabetic med missed and no monitoring being done honestly without family going in everyday I think he'd have died.

There's a lot of poor communication - I suspect because it is so big and everyone is massively overworked and fed up but it does cause frustration and worry and worse when your faced with it.

That doesn’t happen in other EU countries where everyone is forced to have health insurance.

No I mean who pays more to make up the difference?

Which tax payers

this ^^^ !!!!!

Also, he who is without sin throw the first stone.

I think we all probably have, or had, habits which are not healthy.

I don't think we should deny healthcare to someone because they're overweight or they smoke.

Till people get there head around simply don’t vote Tory will fix it it’s doomed

there is many many many why it’s failing and without addressing the majority of them u will never fix it

I don’t think any party is brave enough to make the unpopular choices needed

the was a shinning example on here the other day from a consultant

she used to use a dictaphone tape for her notes and audio typists did the she saw 9 patients
the got rid of typists to save money and consult does here own notes so now sees 6 patients and they pay for more consultants to cover the shortfall

it like saving £5 but it’s cost you £10 to do it

I don't think we should deny healthcare to someone because they're overweight or they smoke.

Agree, none is perfect.

If you think it’d be any better under labour you’re kidding yourself.
They're all as bad as each other

no one

Never vote Tory but also we need to make real changes to the media in this country. A lot of the population seem to be brainwashed by the billionaire media tycoons that own the "newspapers" hence why we are stuck with Brexit and this awful government. We need critical thinking taught in schools so that people can identify that the propaganda and columnists that these newspapers promote are not fact. Also agree with the healthy eating/ exercise posts too.

Which part of what Labour are proposing do you like?

What is it specifically that appeals

I like the fact that the NHS worked fine the last time Labour were in power. I saw it, first hand.

You'd have to be dumb as a post not to realise that if you stop funding something then it won't work.

The Tories only care about people who have private healthcare.

They're all as bad as each other

Rubbish. Utter rubbish.

The US is NOT a fully private system, it is a public/private hybrid. Half of all healthcare dollars in the US are spent by the federal and state governments.

European part-insurance system gets my vote. And make people pay a nominal amount for appointments so the number of missed appointments plummets.

I'm lucky to have private medical insurance as the NHS scares (and frustrates) me. I know the staff work hard but I think we've been conditioned to accept crap care and be grateful for it.

It needs a cross-party revolution, not a sticking plaster.

This. Urgent cases are seen quickly.

Yes there are long waits in A&E if you present with a chronic condition like back ache, or something else that ooh could handle like a uti. People do use A&E like a GP practice then wonder why they're sat waiting for hours as everyone else is doing the same.

I don't know anyone who has not had a good experience re the nhs. Obviously you get some staff whose time management is pants and there is usually lots of hanging about but the system itself is fine.

'And now another 6 weeks to be able to have the prescription from my GP'

Why on earth would you wait 6wks for a prescription, book a telephone consult and get it ordered.