Some interesting responses.
Rosie – agreed, it’s vital to see the patient, if not for “ real “ then by video ( Skype, for example ), and expert opinions are available by teleradiology ( sending X Rays etc over the internet ). Expect more “ minor “ GP surgery in the future, or join a long waiting list at the hospital.
Joebloggs – too right, complications CAN arise from private healthcare ( in UK or as a “ health tourist “ ), especially for “ major “ procedures, when the NHS bails out patients if clinically indicated.
Lastlid – spending time in hospital DOES give insight ; poor food is partly – but not entirely - because of limited budget.
Mickcant and Terpe – you’re not alone in misunderstanding the Health Bill, its many amendments, or even how the health service can be improved. But if it’s not needed for the rest of the UK, it should be scrapped for England.
Life expectancy is greater in UK than Philippines, and by other criteria standards of healthcare are better here. Indeed the Philippines aspire to the core principles of the NHS ( meeting the needs of everyone, free at point of delivery, based on clinical need ). But improvements are needed – less spending on hospital care, more on the community. Health inequalities around the UK are large, but not as huge as in the Philippines. Two general examples from the UK – 1. cancer treatment is less good than other European countries ( Sweden, Norway ), Canada or Australia ; 2. hospital care is less good at weekends. If you’re not happy with treatment, the Government has just avoided defeat on an amendment that would have made it a duty for NHS organisations to admit mistakes to patients .
Despite this, survival rates for common killers like heart disease and cancer HAVE improved, there is no need for such massive reform, and many GPs neither have the management skills nor actually want to take on “ commissioning “ of health services. If they were put in charge of the budget, they would still need managers while they got on with looking after patients.
