I work in the NHS and have had care from it. The services I have worked for have always been totally focused on providing the best care possible, in the most effective and efficient way possible. I’ve had the fortune to work with many incredible, knowledgeable and dedicated staff, most of whom put in way over and above what they are paid to do.
I have also received excellent care historically and recently. Excellent care. For which I am hugely grateful.
It’s both/and. We should be grateful that we can all access healthcare when we need it regardless of our financial situation. It’s a luxury that many in other countries would love to have. In Europe much of what you receive id free at the point of delivery but you do have to pay directly for some things. Example - friend had to pay for something recently in France.
AND we should hold it to account and demand that the service is at least good enough but aiming for excellence.
I’m saddened that some people have had poor care. It does happen - I’m not naive -but you don’t hear about the millions of satisfied patients who have nothing but good to say about the care they have had.
I also think the set up in England is different and this makes a difference. Here in Wales, most services aren’t put out for tender to be provided by independent companies in the same way as some are in England. From hearing some experiences from friends in England this can lead to disjointed care I think. My experience in Northern England of healthcare for an elderly relative was pretty poor to be fair, so may be there is a difference across the border? I doubt it’s that clear cut. There is good and bad practice everywhere but the good far outweighs the bad - it’s just not as noteworthy when things go well. It’s when things go wrong we notice it more - understandably.
And thank you to the PP who called me childish. I thought that was quite ironic and it made me smile. 