With talk of NHS financial problems- the overriding
feeling is that of a slowly evaporating sense of security. As a healthcare
supporter (student and advocate) it has been an aim of mine to witness
advancement of the field. However defiant I may feel about the significance of
my 'role' as a healthcare professional, there is still no escaping
that the constant reminders of under-funding have had a deeply corrosive
effect, cutting to the core of our healthcare service's perceived value. As an
individual with hopes of positive change, it rarely pays to remain in silence -
no tangible results, no fruit can be reaped from such an approach.
Much of the public share my concerns. There is a
prevalent atmosphere of despair with regards to the healthcare system, not
helped by perennial press coverage and rhetoric which drains confidence of the
workforce. This must be addressed if we are to preserve the flagship
reform of a healthcare system, the UK are so proud of. This detail becomes
hugely important in stopping the eminent, mass exodus of skilled
healthcare professionals - further burdening the already, over-taxed system
(seen in medics).
Spectre promises ( not even including the disavowed fact
- £350 million a week for the NHS ) are ringingly increasingly hollow as the
scale of the financial challenge faced is becoming more apparent. Annual, NHS
funding increase of 1.1% countered with a cost increased by 3.8%
translates to a £4.5 billion rise, markedly reducing spending per person.
The government mantra speaks of a profound disconnect when tackling the
injustice of the yawning inequality in healthcare, without the investment to
underpin the ambitious reforms. Factors to consider are the
inefficiency of divided budgets for social and health care, effective cross
government policies particularly in the region of prevention, emphasised in the
5 Year Forward View. This is essential to ensure long-standing
benefit avoiding the weight of past political
failures which magnify the sense of impending crisis, million-fold.
With that I subsequently decided to channel my concern a little more positively deciding to reflect on the current state of healthcare.Is anything constructive being done? What can be done further? And is there anything still remaining, that I as a healthcare professional or citizen can do to help?
Reading the five year forward plan, the emergence of STPs
and various schemes run despite financial demands of NHS (combating childhood
obesity), only did so much in allaying my arising fears as a healthcare professional
and user of the NHS. It was by struck of fortune that I found myself, in the
very position I hadn't even realised that I had been waiting for - listening to
an MP speak at length of the healthcare agenda. A good friend invited me to
'bright blue' event where Sarah Wollaston, answered the very questions preying
on everyone's minds.
I couldn't help but listen in rapt awe as the ex-medic
spoke with an unparalleled passion of the possibilities that the NHS still
heralds. The idea of tactful management of the NHS rather than complete
discarding of the current system in place seemed like a plausible idea ( as
well as a welcome message of hope).
A widespread of compelling ideas were
covered.
-Strategic expenditure- not wasting budget on
outdated ( no longer approved medication i.e Co-Proximol) as well as providing
services in place of drug treatment when there is a viable alternative.
-Tackling issues with geriatric care which is
becoming an increasing problem - adequate social care are no match for rising
demands (number of people living to 85 and over increased by 31% in
decade to 2015) .
-Addressing the failures to implement structures which
allow newly qualified/trainee doctors to feel their most valued as a team.
-Retaining the benefit of CCG scheme but implementing a
scheme which shares management responsibility effectively ceasing
inequality in standard of care.
-Forgoing the term ‘purchaser-provider’ with the
implementation of Sustainable Transformation Plans. These carry a greater
promise of targeted commissioning in a time when state of finances call for
quality resourcefulness.
Of course, a discussion of improving the NHS, would not
be one without proposing potential alternatives – Bismark or US model. It was
fair to say with an all resounding consensus from the audience, that the
Beveridge model was one considered to be most worth maintaining and seeing
through. It was a reminder that the value of the NHS, the support it’s
receiving and its potential must not be allowed to dissipate in crisis.
As I delve further into governmental policies and
standards for healthcare, I’ll share my insights here and always welcome
everyone’s views. As a parting message, it’s far too easy to subscribe to the
ever present notion of an all encompassing failing system. But whilst we still
find within ourselves the conviction to see past the challenges through to the
victories, however small, there is still hope for a positive change.
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