Forum Topic

NHS Safe in Tory Hands?

"One of the wonderful things about living in this country is that the moment you're injured or fall ill - no matter who you are, where you are from, or how much money you've got - you know that the NHS will look after you." David Cameron said this so are we to belieive it? We live in the area housing the world class Imperial College NHS trust. Hammersmith hospital and Charing Croos and Chelsea and Westminster on our doorstep. Should we be grateful or critical? Was Hannan wrong in his comment not to wish the NHS on anyone in his US interview?What would you say to the Abama critics? would you not wish the NHS on anyone? My  Aunt, who was recently medically qualified, left these shores for New Zealand in 1948 due to the belief that the introduction of the NHS would be the end of her career and of quality general practice in this country.

Vivienne James ● 5727d9 Comments

If you want to engage with the American debate, this link takes you to a website where you can demonstrate your support for the NHS.http://www.avaaz.org/en/reform_health_care_uk/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK

Sara Nathan ● 5720d

I'm not sure that, even if you can afford it, private health care is necessarily better - at least for acute and tricky cases...fine for varicose veins, even hip replacements but I got the distinct impression when a close friend was dying of breast cancer earlier this year, that she would have got a more expert, more co-ordinated and higher level of doctoring (though not necessarily of convenience/private room etc) if she had gone with an NHS centre of excellence.

Sara Nathan ● 5721d

This matter got a lot of coverage some time ago. From what I remember the following were the key points.1) Although the sums of money are large they are not significant in terms of the overall budget for the NHS2) Citizens of this country are a drain on other nation's health service most particularly Spain3) It isn't as easy as you might think to be a health tourist. You won't get non-critical care if you are non-EU citizen and you will be billed for care, if necessary by the hospital authorities confiscating your credit card.In other words it is not something that would lead to the downfall of the NHS although right wing political parties make great play of the issue.

Andy Jones ● 5724d

We might all love the NHS but it's popularity might well be it's downfall if what I hear is correct. The NHS is free to those who need it but what about stories of so called 'health tourists' arriving at the hosital for free treatment?Surely this must be a huge drain on the NHS?Perhaps someone working on the frontline in an NHS hospital would like to comment?

Jean F Fernandez ● 5724d

I am probably going to be shouted at for saying this but............hey here goes.First of all I think the doctors and nurses are absolutely brilliant, my neighbour is currently being treated in Charing Cross Hospital and cannot praise them enough.  But what I do not understand, why do the Royal Family etc, when they have needed medical treatment, use the NHS.............the NHS is so strapped for cash surely those that can afford to go private should, not use up funds that are in short supply anyway.  If I could afford private medical care I would take it.

Carol Burge ● 5724d

I think a free at the point of delivery health care system should be an aspiration of any civilised society and we are lucky that previous generations had the foresight to set one up in this country. Of course we should be grateful.That we live in an area within that system with an excellently run NHS Trust and some of the leading specialist centres in the country is also a reason to be thankful.The reaction coming out of this country to some of the nonsense from the Republican party shows why no party will stand for election in the UK with anything other than a commitment to maintain the NHS in its current form.

Andy Jones ● 5724d

I think Cameron is personally committed to the NhS but his party isn't - it's heart is into private medicine and the Young Turks are itching to do a Thatcher carve-up to it. Watch how powerless Cameron really is to fire those who snipe at it.

Dan Filson ● 5725d

What exactly is the option to the NHS? As far as I understand it, there are millions of people in the US who have no access to healthcare at all because they can't afford the insurance premiums. That's hardly a good alternative.Has Hannan actually lived under any other healthcare system? I got the feeling that he hadn't and it was just a case of the grass being greener on the other side.

Lina Leaman ● 5727d