What do NHS staff think about the Tory NHS plans?

[fedup21]

Will this actually solve any of the current problems?

Would it be better to scrap the nursing tuition fees or would that be too expensive? Were there still huge recruitment problems when nursing was free to train?

I’m sure the Tory plans for education (I’m a teacher) will be just as nonsensical, but just wondering if anyone thought these plans for health have any redeeming qualities?

The poster seemed to be repeating soundbites. I don't think that the NHS's problems are entirely caused by people not showing up, or rushing to the doctor for trivial things, although some people do.

It was set up at a time when people didn't live as long, and had diseases like TB rather than the diseases we see today and nothing like the range of medicines available. It does need a proper evaluation, but I don't see that happening. I do see the Tories selling it off piecemeal.

What about the aging population with more long term problems needing expensive longer term care argument? (No “skin in the game” here really - it’s clearly a very complex issue - just trying to understand).

Also is there stuff which wasn’t under the NHS original remit (IVF, gender re assignment) which is increasing due to the technology being “available and there” ?

Exactly YellowBup, that's why it all needs a proper review, and social care too. It also needs people of vision as it was when the NHS was set up. They seem to be in particularly short supply at present in politics.

ACautionaryTale Excellent post imo. With the caveat to the OP that I am not NHS staff, so perhaps don’t satisfy the demographic she was hoping to get responses from.

ACautionaryTale is correct. And, btw, there is plenty of TB around.

Our NHS is excellent value for money. Think how amazing it would be if we put spending up in line with other countries (while keeping it nationalised)

I've never understood the issue with gp no shows. Appts are 10 mins and loads of patients need more than 10 mins and we're seen later than our appt time and the gp never leaves on time and a no show might mean the gp can nip to the toilet or even have a sandwich. The 'cost' is notional. Maybe the system is what needs changing.

Back in the day at my previous gp as long as we got to the surgery by 9am or 6pm we would be seen. It meant you went when you needed and were seen while you had your symptoms if a chronic condition. No appointments. Appt booking systems are a farce these days.

@muddledmidget it’s not ethical to condemn people to a life time of living in a shit hole either. My parents were ‘poached’ for their medical qualifications from an ex soviet nightmare. Surely you don’t think they were somehow obliged to suffer a despotic government and a crap economy do you? Shortages are obviously a problem but there’s nothing wrong with accepting migrants and giving them jobs ffs.

My best friend is a GP in Wales. She was sceptical about the introduction of free prescriptions for exactly the reasons that CautionaryTale outlines.

She now says she was wrong. In practice (after the initial novelty wore off) there have been very few "paracetamol" type requests for prescriptions, primarily because genetic painkillers are now so cheap, so that it's more hassle to get to the surgery than just buy them - and if they do, it's usually because there is an underlying issue which the GP then has a chance to spot.

But more importantly, she says that people are more likely to fulfil their scripts and not end up presenting with something more serious down the road. She also says it means that for certain medications, it means they can prescribe a more appropriate amount and be confident that they will come back if necessary for more, so overall it has improved health outcomes.

First of all can I say that the Tory manifesto states that they are reinstating the nurse bursary. Which should never have been introduced I the first place. Previously we had two tiers of nursing qualifications but that has been slowly phased out as nurses now require a degree education. I do think this needs looking at as I know of people who have the right type of work ethic and caring nature but are not academically able to gain a degree.
As for the use of overseas medical staff, this has happened since before the start of the NHS. My mum who trained pre WW2 had a very good friend from Ghana she trained with who's brother was studying to be a Dr in Edinburgh as well.
Secondly the idea that the Tories would do a deal that would mean the NHS would pay more for our drugs is non sensical. The NHS is one of the biggest buyers of drugs in the world and has a hell of a lot of clout. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years and I can tell you that the US has lots of generic drugs that we could get hold of in a trade deal which would save us loads. They also have several drugs we don't have access to at the moment that, although expensive would save the NHS masses in care costs and improve the quality of live for these patients.
As for the privatisation of the NHS. Compulsory competitive tendering came in in 2012. The idea is to get the best value service for the patient, which as far as I'm concerned can only be a good thing.
Please also be aware that most G.P.s are self employed and run their practises as if they were private businesses.

I do not share your faith in Tory promises.

Bit late to thread but unless cautionary is the ageing chap on Facebook who posted this (was claimed on another thread he was a doctor : not so) those are not his/her own words.

Cheeky!

Paracetamol is 48p in Boots!

Piggy, you’re being robbed. It’s 17p in Sainsbury’s.

Not in my sainsburys. [Angry]

Even Ocado is only 35p!

Ah, yes, I meant the super-duper packs of 100 they keep in a special drawer!

I was thinking about how they 'improved' physiotherapy services locally, according to the spokesperson asked to make a statement. Now MIL has to travel either 6 or 10 miles for a physio appointment, instead of going to the hospital a mile away.

So I would be good to hear of any genuine improvements under this government. Not the 20 new hospitals which aren't or the 30,000 more nurses, which double counts some already there, nor MILs pseudo improvement.