[MD] Privatised Medicine? No thanks

[Ant McWatt]

Platt stated April 25th:

>From today's British paper, "The Guardian" touted by Jos. Laycock and others 
[such as Platt when it suits him] as presenting trustworthy news:

Headline: "Confusing 'information jungle' fails long-term sick"

"The researchers sent a team of 'mystery shoppers' to investigate services 
across
England for people with conditions such as MS and diabetes. They found 
themselves
referred from one organisation to another, with nobody taking personal
responsibility for finding the specialist nurse, therapist or voluntary
organisation that could help."

Full article at:

http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/news/0,,2065069,00.html

Ant McWatt comments:

This article just indicates how far privatisation has fractured NHS 
services.  Moreover, the terminology "mystery shopper" says it all.  Who the 
hell buys an illness off the shelf?  It's just more sick minded terminology 
straight from the right-wing US business "gurus" so beloved by Mrs Thatcher, 
crushing every aspect of human life into a commercial context.

However, if privatisation of the NHS isn't the answer to improve services, 
then what is?

In discussion with a Charity Commissioner recently (who used to deal with 
NHS trusts), I showed him one of Platt’s “isn’t private healthcare great if 
you’re rich and not seriously ill” posts and he pointed out that a huge 
expense for the NHS is caused by the relatively expensive medical equipment 
and drugs provided by _private_ companies.  The Commissioner thought that 
the UK government should set-up publicly owned divisions within the NHS to 
make equipment and drugs itself.  The quality of healthcare could therefore 
be gradually improved in the UK by transferring funds away from  
shareholders' profits and into more worthwhile expenditure such as intensive 
care units and operating theatres.

Best wishes,

Anthony


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