The NHS Reforms

There's been a lot of talk here that the National Heath needs reforms. Some have gone so far as to suggest part-privatisation.

I don't want this to descend into wrangling over who's healthcare is better, okay? The UK is #18, the US is #25. Leave it.

So, how could or should we reform the NHS? Is the NHS starting to show signs of even more strain?

I think it needs to be left alone for at least 2 Parliaments. Changes for change's sake is going to destory the NHS more than privatisation imo.

I'd say cut out any more planned PFI deals; thy just place more expense and strain upon the system than is necessary.

I'd argue more funding and reverse the trend of backdoor privatisation under the name of 'choice' in the NHS itself.

What is wrong with the NHS anyways?

The Tories are pushing through reforms that may allow for part-privatisation of the NHS.

Why?

Lol Lobbyists, Some Yank company is in position to cream off most of it.

God damn.

As an American I would like to say that I'm sorry our corporations are such assholes.

Are there any actual grievances with the functionality of the NHS?

Pharmaceutical corporations are right up there with the military-industrial complex in controlling the US Government, so I'm wholly unsurprised that they are all for privatizing everything there. After all, government healthcare leaves no margin for profit, as there's little-to-no market to tap, while private healthcare gives so much chance for profit it's not even funny.

Usual stuff you get with any huge employer - not EVERYTHING gets done right first time, and in something like healthcare that means a few accidental deaths and lots of unnecessary beaurocracy, disputes about the relative pay of managers and front line staff, etc.

This is now being used as an excuse to try and tear it apart needlessly.

Also due to dealing with private contractors and PFI deals (such as the IT system, which failed but still has to be paid for) means less money for real medical stuff, leading to in turn it being less efficient so it gets torn part to make room for EVEN MORE privatisation.

Like a horrific circle :/

I think all the British tropers lamenting at the moment now know what it feels like to be pro-public option and UHC in the US.

When the opposition holds all the cards in a loaded deck to begin with, it's hard to be anything but aggressively pessimistic and cynical about the whole idea...

Well, if the Tories go any more deeper with any major reforms, they're probably going to lose the next election.

It'd be the second-longest suicide note in history.

To be honest, there aren't that many problems with the NHS. There's been this whole hubbub about the elderly being mistreated in hospitals, which is serious stuff, but I'm not sure how that applies to hospitals generally.