Forum Topic

In praise of our NHS

I have just heard from my sister in Australia who is in dire need of a hip replacement and who has been waiting for 18 months already and has been told she will probably face another six months waiting - at least! In the meantime she needs to use a stick for support and is getting very low in spirits. Her daughter is now going to step in and get a loan on her house to pay - wait for it $A30.000!I - on the other hand have just had to have an operation and have received excellent treatment from our wonderful NHS. Referred to Hammersmith Hospital in March - two outpatient visits and three scans, and operation done last week, seven months............I cannot thank the staff and surgeons enough, wonderful treatment, care, courtesy and professionalism. We let this government touch our health service at their peril, we are just so lucky to have it, with all its faults it is still the envy of the world.

Vanessa Smith ● 4690d6 Comments

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-174297861.7M people is almost mind boggling.

George Knox ● 4687d

It is indeed a big organisation.In fact it is huge.The 4th or 5th biggest employer in the world in fact.I think that is a blessing and a curse at the same time.

Keith Iddon ● 4687d

That - if you don't mind me saying so - is one of the most stupid comments I have seen, but as it is based on soemthing from the Daily Torygraph, understandable. I think we are all adult enough to accept that the NHS is not perfect - not much in this world is - and yes , there are vast improvements that could be made, as there are in any big organisation. None of that hardly justifies cuts and in fact has it not occurred to you that the reason some of these things have happened is because of the strain the system has been placed under by the ridiculous Lansley plans? I have no faith whatsoever that anything will improve under the current muppet in charge. But the fact is without our NHS we'd all be up the proverbial creek without a paddle in times of ill health or emergencies. I venture to suggest that if things are to improve then the best politicians can do is butt out and listen to the clinicians.

Vanessa Smith ● 4687d

Are you seriously saying that an organisation that year on year manages to kill patients by starvation and dehydration (154 last year) is perfect, and that its staff should be left to carry on doing this without further intervention?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9591814/Patients-starve-and-die-of-thirst-on-hospital-wards.html

Ed Yelland ● 4687d

Thank-you very much.

Vanessa Smith ● 4690d

Of course it is, and best wishes to you for a quick convalescence.

Keith Iddon ● 4690d