medsec222 wrote:We have to decide what we want from the NHS. Do we want care on the point of need from cradle to grave and everything to remain the same as usual. If so we have to pay a lot more in taxes to keep the service going.
Do we want services for the sick to be at the point of need, and less essential services like IVF, transgender operations, reversal of breast reductions and botched operations from the private sector etc only available if paid for by the patient.
If we have to make savings, do we need to cut down on essential services like A&E, or should we refuse to treat health tourists and make more strenuous efforts in recovering costs from those not entitled to NHS care. Some hospitals seem to do this successfully, so why not them all.
There are savings to be made but there undoubtedly will be an outcry. I agree with Kate about the elderly. The majority will have put into the NHS pot over a lifetime, and when they eventually need some sort of care, perhaps longterm, they are called bedblockers because there are no beds available in affordable nursing homes.
Also when Nigel Farage mentioned NHS hepatitis and HIV care for all, it caused an outrage. Of course it is better to treat these patients to prevent infection spreading, but what about the World Health Organisation contributing to NHS Hospitals who are able to offer this very valuable service.
I agree with you medsec seen it first hand, last year a number of nurses were accepted to work here in the Birmingham area it was discovered that they were HIV positive no medical checks obviously when recruited, however they were kept on here and treated at great cost approved by the maternity organisation. A humanitarian gesture however there needs to be exacting medicals for all overseas doctors and nurses. They assured the public that these women would not put them at risk..I believe they were six in number