AIBU to be terrified Trump will destroy NHS - and to wonder what to do about it

[impossible]

Just that. I feel really fearful that the NHS will up for grabs in any US/UK trade deal and I have no trust in Trump to protect it. Do you feel the same and what can we do?

Of course everything is on the table when you start negotiating a trade deal. That’s how it works. The in due process the other part can state if it is or not. That’s just how trade negotiations works.

Yep. Asset stripping disaster capitalists, the lot of them.

Yes.

I've no idea.

Though I'm aware of changes that make privatization bit by bit more likely anyway I do think US trade deal would accelerate the entire process.

I also think food growers will get screwed over - and I think the only think standing between consumers and more food poisoning outbreaks will be supermarkets setting higher standards.

I agree that we need to incentivise people to take care of their own health and well-being, but that is not a simple issue

Unfortunately having worked as a senior manager in the NHS it is the staff and the Trusts that are the problem not the government.

@Iggly

You don't need to have a business mind to know something isn't sustainable as we live longer and longer and the population of the country keeps growing. It's underfunded not only due to cuts but because there are 16 million more people in the country than when it started and we live approximately 15 years longer than when it started.

I'm sure if the government decided to increase everyones tax to properly fund the NHS plenty of people would be up in arms. They can't win.

Unfortunately having worked as a senior manager in the NHS it is the staff and the Trusts that are the problem not the government.

Its the lack of staff that is the problem.

I'm sure if the government decided to increase everyones tax to properly fund the NHS plenty of people would be up in arms. They can't win.

Or they could stop wasting billions on Brexit.

The NHS needs a huge amount of reform and a huge amount of money.

The continuing rise in obesity, and the increase of associated health problems, is going to be a far bigger threat..

Trump is the least of its problems, quite frankly.

Campaign against Brexit. It's the only way to stop this shit storm.

Of course everything is on the table when you start negotiating a trade deal. That’s how it works. The in due process the other part can state if it is or not. That’s just how trade negotiations works.

Yeah, we don't negotiate a deal with the EU - and deliberately put ourselves in the weakest, most desperate position - but we pretend to the rest of the world that we are all hunky dory, we're not desperate - and then the Americans and the Chinese are like, wow, these guys are so strong now! - and they will bend over backwards to give us the greatest deals imaginable.

Is that the idea?

How do you know this is all that will happen? It'll likely lead to a slippery slope, sold off piece by piece.

Ahhh so your theory is hyperbole and dubious speculation more than anything fact based.

The NHS needs pruning back, that's all. They do lots of things they should get involved in. If they prune back and stop doing the unnecessary stuff, there will be plenty of money to go round.

The NHS isn't so good compared to the rest of the world. The trouble is the UK have only ever known a pseudo communist existence. NHS, Nationalised industries.

Without experience of alternatives how is it possible to have a sensible balanced view of the best way of managing health or anything else.

The funny thing is, they won't nationalise the one thing they ought to. Banks.

What unnecessary things does the NHS do?

It really isnt the lack of staff. Having visited over many years lots of health trusts. The nurses who have been brought in from abroad who choose to speak over my DM in their own language and when she asked them what they were doing they completely ignored her! I was at the nurses station nearby so they didn't know I was related to her. Please bring back nursing busaries and Matron's that can run their wards with disiclipine. Not let people do whatever they like. Wander in after visiting hours, hang around the ward when your partner has had a baby because its your 'right' and upset the rest of the ward with your snoring.

Stop health tourism dead. Stop being so nervous about quizzing people on their status. When I was ill abroad they demanded to see my health insurance as I was clearly not from that country. I didn't mind.

The NHS needs pruning back, that's all.

cutting bursaries and staff shortages not enough for you?

Without experience of alternatives how is it possible to have a sensible balanced view of the best way of managing health or anything else.

There was mass privaitisation of in the 1980s.

I have no idea, I’m just pointing out that Trump is just stating the obvious and people seem to not understand how trade negotiations work.

NHS 'no chance of training enough staff'

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47616491

fullfact.org/health/health-tourism-whats-cost/

Jeremy hunt - health secretary for years and current contender for PM - wrote a book about how to privatise the NHS, didn't he?

The NHS has been on the road to privatization for years. No-one has noticed because they haven't been asked for money.

I think there will be a tipping point soon and Brexit could be it. And it will be presented as inevitable and the only solution. And people will be too battered down and zombified with mobile phones to really protest.

Back to trump though. The American insurance/medical companies have been eyeing up the NHS for years though. Trump and Brexit have just brought it to light. Good - maybe it will make so people realise just how dangerous/inept/calculating our government is. Or maybe make them rethink - nope stupid idea. They know they ride rough shod and still get people to vote for them.

yeah I write to Matt Hancock - I am sure he would be proactive about the nhs (deep cynicism) I am afraid of creeping privatization - & the rules are different in assessing finances of private versus NH providers (that how many pharmacies in hospital stopped being NHS & became private providers - something about tax apparently)

I think they will reduce the NHS budget progressively until things are so bad it can be justified to complete privatisation or introduce, gradually, private insurance provided by American companies...

Don’t start me in pharmaceutical products because once we are in the same market, they will insist in UK prices to match the market led US prices. Ie. Instead of paying £8 for a thread worm treatment for your kid, you may need to pay over £600 (yes £600) for the same 4 tablets as American patients pay.

Bring in Farage and Johnson, it is going to be glorious!

The NHS needs pruning back, that's all. They do lots of things they should get involved in. If they prune back and stop doing the unnecessary stuff, there will be plenty of money to go round

Please do expand.

You don't need to have a business mind to know something isn't sustainable as we live longer and longer and the population of the country keeps growing

Population grows = increased tax take.....

The government has made the choice to give less money to the NHS and it will cost more to rectify that as a result. That doesn’t make the NHS fundamentally unsustainable- it’s just poor financial management on the part of this government.

Anyone with business sense knows that.