tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post6001779632432934458..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Extra Money Does Not Necessarily Buy a Better NHSIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-8038069903678808152008-03-03T16:01:00.000+00:002008-03-03T16:01:00.000+00:00sorry, testing againsorry, testing againAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6205533831547232032008-02-29T15:22:00.000+00:002008-02-29T15:22:00.000+00:00I seem to remember reading, not so long ago, that ...I seem to remember reading, not so long ago, that the NHS employed as many people as the Red Army. As one would expect, it seems to operate at the same level of efficiency.<BR/><BR/>Verity: Boots, in Guernsey, used to have a GP on duty at the back of the store. Perhaps they still do. It seems an excellent system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-50805088795840776162008-02-29T14:05:00.000+00:002008-02-29T14:05:00.000+00:00Paddy Briggs - All the private consultants here ha...Paddy Briggs - All the private consultants here have the very, very latest high tech diagnostic and treatment gadgetry. If it's new, they've got it. I can't imagine why private clinics in Britain don't have it.<BR/><BR/>The Soviet NHS needs to be absolutely destroyed and buried at sea encased in lead. It's a loathsome outfit. Let private enterprise take over with more efficiency, more imagination and more accountability and not be governed by rubbish like Patricia Hewitt and whoever's the latest nonentity with no experience in running anything bigger than his microwave in charge. From never having run a commercial establishment in their lives to running the largest employer in the EU. Quite a step.<BR/><BR/>Private enterprise will always serve the market better. ALWAYS.<BR/><BR/>Here, I can get an appointment with a specialist within two days - or three if a weekend's involved. If I want a second opinion, I don't have to be referred. I just take my Xrays and test results (which I keep because I paid for them) to a different consultant.<BR/><BR/>Here, there is a giant pharmaceutical company that manufacturers generics. It has its own outlets, and you can get any prescription drug for half to 2/3 of the price of the brand names. <BR/><BR/>But of interest from a free marketeer point of view is, at their outlets, they have a doctor on duty. Instead of calling up and making a doctor's appointment, you just go along to one of their stores and take a seat - like going to the doctor in France. You just go and wait your turn. You get around 20/25 minutes with the doctor. For this you pay £1.50. The consultancy is a loss leader for the pharmaceutical company.<BR/><BR/>Another free enterprise solution is, one of the giant national supermarket chains has opened doctors' consultancies in their retail outlets. And why not? It's a commercial decision. It gets people into their stores. And the doctors' offices are manned for all the opening hours of the store.<BR/><BR/>The NHS is cumbersome and passé. Other countries are lighter on their feet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75890875965147244852008-02-29T11:13:00.000+00:002008-02-29T11:13:00.000+00:00You're arguing about angels dancing on the head of...You're arguing about angels dancing on the head of a pin, which I've noticed the English, especially English men, are prone to. They ignore the big picture and get settled in to quibbling about details.<BR/><BR/>The big picture is, the NHS should be destroyed. It is a Sovietesque concept and has no place in a free society.<BR/><BR/>I see Lord Mancroft said this morning that NHS nurses are dirty and slutty. So what's new? They indulge in behaviour that would get them sacked on their first day in private enterprise.<BR/><BR/>Health care should be the responsibility of the individual. I would give a free pass to OAPs, given that most have contributed all their working lives, and a free pass to children up to age 18, given that they haven't had a chance to contribute yet.<BR/><BR/>Everyone else pays.<BR/><BR/>Keep NI deductions, but the owner of the money being deducted chooses the healthcare provider he wants to pay his premiums to.<BR/><BR/>And 1.3m employees isn't a business; it's a clumsy jokeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88698378724594074222008-02-29T09:22:00.000+00:002008-02-29T09:22:00.000+00:00I agree that it's not about spending levels but ab...I agree that it's not about spending levels but about spending efficiency. But you only get a Health Service appropriate for a rich country (which we are) if you invest. I recently had two eye cataract operations. I have private health insurance and was covered for the operations. I asked the surgeon where he would be carrying out the procedure - at our nearest Private Hospital or at Kingston (NHS) Hospital. “No issue”, he said, “we'll do it at Kingston. Their equipment is much more modern than at the private place!” More money <B>does</B> mean a better NHS – if properly spent. One mini story I know, but there really has been massive and effective investment in the NHS in recent years. Has it all been wisely spent - probably not? But the principle of keeping the NHS properly funded must be sacrosanct - and then the focus should be on efficiency.Paddy Briggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17847108655078927970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38506456460738671952008-02-29T00:24:00.000+00:002008-02-29T00:24:00.000+00:00Lighten up Mr Dale.I don't know if the University ...Lighten up Mr Dale.<BR/><BR/>I don't know if the University of East Anglia has a Medical School.<BR/><BR/>If it did, you would know that medics are the worst-of-the-worst pranksters and wind-up merchants.<BR/><BR/>It's nothing personal! We just get a bit hacked off when politicians have a go at us.<BR/><BR/>Now.....have the courage to publish this comment and have a laugh about it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31831208195352910112008-02-28T23:55:00.000+00:002008-02-28T23:55:00.000+00:00You real are a grade one prize idiot, aren't you? ...You real are a grade one prize idiot, aren't you? Half the comments on this site disagree with me in one form or another. If you sign up to a Google account with your name I will happily let your comment through if you choose to resubmit it. Until then, go swing.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-59521616099701623712008-02-28T23:46:00.000+00:002008-02-28T23:46:00.000+00:00Iain:You've repeated yourself. Do you have the hic...Iain:<BR/><BR/>You've repeated yourself. Do you have the hiccups? I have a cure...<I>trust me...I'm a Doctor.</I><BR/><BR/>Despite your earlier promise, you haven't published my earlier comments. Why not?<BR/><BR/>If I put a name like <B>"Dr John Smith"</B> to my comments would you publish them?<BR/><BR/>I imagine you would, but only if my comments agreed with your viewpoint. That's how this blog works, isn't it? <BR/><BR/>If not, you would just post petulant comments like your last one.<BR/><BR/>Sorry if I bore you. If you have the guts to publish this post, I will go away and infest "abnother" <I>sic</I> blog. Wherever that is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-89826453604107018922008-02-28T23:30:00.001+00:002008-02-28T23:30:00.001+00:00You should know. Have the courage to put your name...You should know. Have the courage to put your name to your comments and I will take you seriously. People like you bore me rigid. Why don't you go and infest abnother blog?Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9314525173916432822008-02-28T23:30:00.000+00:002008-02-28T23:30:00.000+00:00You should know. Have the courage to put your name...You should know. Have the courage to put your name to your comments and I will take you seriously. People like you bore me rigid. Why don't you go and infest abnother blog?Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4174857877603105402008-02-28T23:20:00.000+00:002008-02-28T23:20:00.000+00:00As I thought.Sadly, there is no cure for cowardice...As I thought.<BR/><BR/>Sadly, there is no cure for cowardice.<BR/><BR/>And I know you won't publish this comment either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-3687397837853724722008-02-28T23:11:00.000+00:002008-02-28T23:11:00.000+00:00Iain, old chap:Are you familiar with the phrase:"W...Iain, old chap:<BR/><BR/>Are you familiar with the phrase:<BR/><BR/><I>"When in a hole, stop digging?"</I><BR/><BR/>Doctors are hard work. I know; I'm married to one. <BR/><BR/>She makes up for it in lots of other ways, though I have to do with out-of-date antibiotics when I get man flu every winter.<BR/><BR/>Do I get an extra point for the correct use of semi-colon in a blog comment?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75377633117310777962008-02-28T23:07:00.000+00:002008-02-28T23:07:00.000+00:00No I haven't. Feel free to check against an RSS re...No I haven't. Feel free to check against an RSS record or a Google cache. Honestly.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-44905997944454808942008-02-28T23:05:00.000+00:002008-02-28T23:05:00.000+00:00Have you edited this story?Have you edited this story?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-44732350791571057652008-02-28T22:58:00.000+00:002008-02-28T22:58:00.000+00:00Good evening Iain,Over to you?No. I thought not.Good evening Iain,<BR/><BR/>Over to you?<BR/><BR/>No. I thought not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32117673736037542712008-02-28T22:43:00.000+00:002008-02-28T22:43:00.000+00:00Dr Death, you have submitted two comments which I ...Dr Death, you have submitted two comments which I have not allowed through. You say I don't have the guts to put them up. Let'smake a deal, shall we? You put your name to your post and I will put it. But you won't, will you. Because anonymous cowards like you never do.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13661175554302064122008-02-28T22:26:00.000+00:002008-02-28T22:26:00.000+00:00Lets be realistic as the poluation lives longer an...Lets be realistic as the poluation lives longer and ages demographically the proportion of GDP spent on healthcare will riseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-41229633945970924752008-02-28T22:04:00.000+00:002008-02-28T22:04:00.000+00:00I have very little knowledge of what goes on in th...I have very little knowledge of what goes on in the NHS, all I can say is that in my area we have new buildings, more staff, and better equipment, but that G.P.s have never been held in such low regard.<BR/><BR/>People say they have become arrogant, greedy, and self-serving. I notice that they also have become rather depressed, they are certainly not the revered figure they once were only a decade or so ago. <BR/><BR/>Whatever is going on I do not think that more money is the solution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-85178568515733466122008-02-28T20:46:00.000+00:002008-02-28T20:46:00.000+00:00It is my perception that GPs, like the "profession...It is my perception that GPs, like the "professions", are an over-protected and wondrously overpaid species. They're job is so awful that they have one of the highest rates of job heritability of any occupation. They have special protections, like the self-sufficiency policy for secialisation. On the whole, they seem rude when compared to US doctors, possiblky because they deal with a herd rather than customers, and to my mind they seem less well-informed when asked a technical question (Yes, I've used both). I would like to see them wholly privatised and fully exposed to global competition. There are plenty of able doctors in the world who would like to make $150,000 per year and who are prepared to work split shifts and nights.<BR/><BR/>I am quite certain that the BMA will pull out every stop to prevent this happening. So it's like the miners all over again, but this time it's the tweedy, well-rested, over-privileged "nice" people.AethelBald, King of Wessexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09613960580758540732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13763210885783253162008-02-28T18:42:00.000+00:002008-02-28T18:42:00.000+00:00GP's are paid about £110 per patient per annum to ...GP's are paid about £110 per patient per annum to provide the service . That is an average and covers those rarely seen and those seen every day . <BR/> Try to find a similar insurance quote for your dog or cat . You can do it , just , but most of the items of service eg vaccs are extra . Most people spend a lot more on their pets and think nowt of it . <BR/><BR/> The figs for income are in fact for turnover of a practice . Deliberately confusing the two is a common way of knocking the GP's . GP income is what is left over after paying all expenses ie staff , premises etc . <BR/> Pension contributions are now a compusory 20% of that . Yes , twenty percent and no escaping it . <BR/> Yes we get more than we did - we were seriously underpaid for years - but it is not non dom nirvana .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-59710642801945923432008-02-28T17:37:00.000+00:002008-02-28T17:37:00.000+00:00"Shadow chancellor George Osborne has completely l..."Shadow chancellor George Osborne has completely lost control" <BR/><BR/>Yvette Cooper<BR/>Chief secretary to the Treasury<BR/><BR/>Helpful quote in special inset box on the BBC blogsite next to their report about Andrew Lansley and the NHS. Boy are they doing their best to make mischief. Shame Iain helped them along today.Oscar Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09423019456579337438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-26951773276741160902008-02-28T16:56:00.000+00:002008-02-28T16:56:00.000+00:00Patrick said:If anything serious needs doing the G...Patrick said:<BR/><BR/><I>If anything serious needs doing the GP will refer up to a consultant. I can't see why it should cost £100,000 to pay someone to prescribe drugs.</I><BR/><BR/>Sorry, Patrick, but it's pretty obvious that you have little or no understanding of the work of the NHS or any other health service anywhere in the world.<BR/><BR/>A GP doesn't just "prescribe drugs."<BR/><BR/>They <B>do</B> act as a gatekeeper for specialist hospital services, which would be totally over-run if patients had their way.<BR/><BR/>As the name suggests, they are "generalists" in the same way that a solicitors are "generalists" and barristers are specialists. It does not make their skill set any the less worthwhile or valuable.<BR/><BR/>The range of skills and experience needed to decide whether a patient needs referring to a specialist means that good GPs are worth every penny they get. <BR/><BR/>It takes 9 years of study and lowly paid work to become a GP principal. The lack of morale in the NHS for many years meant that GPs were leaving in their droves and retiring early - hence the shortage that occurred.<BR/><BR/>As a result, the only way to keep GPs in the NHS was to offer some seriously attractive incentives - no different to what any other employer would have been forced to do.<BR/><BR/>This is what happens when politicians try to impose market forces on the NHS. It rarely works out the way they hope and then they start trying to throw the blame at anyone who's an easy target.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6907473146628366792008-02-28T15:52:00.000+00:002008-02-28T15:52:00.000+00:00The only simple answer is to part privatise the He...The only simple answer is to part privatise the Health Service. People should have to take out some form of private medical insurance to contribute to their medical costs. That way people will take some responsibility for their own welfare.<BR/><BR/>I can't see the logic in clinging to the NHS - it's a 20th Century institution. People need to stop relying on the State to provide for them and take responsibility for themselves. It's time the Tories began advocating part-privatisation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-29993567540013393512008-02-28T14:03:00.000+00:002008-02-28T14:03:00.000+00:00The moral of this that you, Iain, should never bel...The moral of this that you, Iain, should never believe what you read in the Times without checking it, particularly something as improbable as this. I thought Lansley spoke well on World at One today, so perhaps no harm has been done.rob's unclehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03001074396029714388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75097722752364592812008-02-28T13:58:00.000+00:002008-02-28T13:58:00.000+00:00It may well be true that extra money doesn't neces...It may well be true that extra money doesn't necessarily buy a better NHS but the converse is undeniably true. Starving any service of resources as the last government did without doubt makes it worse.<BR/><BR/>NHS inflation is high because we're slowly catching up other advanced economies 'per head' spending on healthcare. We've still got miles to go before we reach US spending levels for example...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com