Beware the ‘NHS sympathy’ vote

Another election is due shortly;  you can tell when one is in the offing because politicians start canvassing.  One of their favourite ‘platforms’ is ideas for reforming the NHS; a sure-fire vote winner.

Every day they come up with fresh – and absurd – ideas to improve the NHS.  The fact that the NHS is short of staff to carry these ideas out seems to escape their notice.   They state the obvious and promise wonderful ideas to improve the service, knowing this is something that will resonate with voters.  They are desperate to convince us, the voters, that they have our interests at heart.

So in the run-up to the next election, my cynical side is waiting for all the empty promises coming up.  Years of under-investment means there is a massive shortage of trained NHS staff, so any ideas that depend on staffing are bound to be a no-no.  It needs years to train doctors, physios, nurses, etc. so politicians giving out grandiose ideas of reform if you vote for their party, does not cut the mustard with me.

Every year, the Dept. Health, the government office in charge of the NHS, comes up with a Cancer Action Plan.  Last year we were promised a whole new scenario for the next ten years.  Surprise, surprise – it’s already been quietly dropped.  If previous elections are anything to go by, any grandiose plans that promise better health care will be quietly shelved once the election is over.

NHS is bonkers!

Ann Widdecombe is one politician who has spoken out about the health service., and doesn’t mince her words.   She was filmed in one of those TV scenarios where a celebrity carries out an unusual job – this time it was working in the NHS.  Trying to help a patient, Ann came up against NHS bureaucracy – and turning to camera announced “the NHS is Bonkers”!

Ann got on with trying to tackle NHS admin – but even her indomitable spirit couldn’t make it work.

Perhaps, if they put her in charge of the innumerable Cancer Plans, we might get something done  Way back in 2015 we have Dame Cally Palmer appointed as National Cancer Director. I remember there was lots of publicity as Cally flickedi her long her around, but all the plans seem to have stagnated. ,

Frank Dobson is another politician who got it spot on.  As new Labour’s first Secretary of State for Health, he once said of the NHS, “you pull the levers and it’s not long before you realise… they aren’t connected to anything”.

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