……The National Health Scandal.
1948 was an
auspicious year in Britain, for two reasons. First, it was the year of my
birth, and second, it saw another birth, that of the National Health Service;-
a cradle-to-grave, free-at-the-point-of delivery, universal healthcare system
for all, regardless of income.
It was the
brainchild of the two Bs;- Aneurin Bevan and William Beveridge, and is funded
by taxes and National Insurance contributions from all those in work. For sixty
years it has been the envy of the rest of the world, and in particular, the
Americans who are of a Democratic political persuasion, and who are often faced
with crippling bills when they need treatment,- or in the case of the very poor
and disadvantaged, who cannot afford private medical cover, and who
consequently may have to go untreated.
Yes, our system is
essentially simple, like all really great ideas, and for the most part, easy to
administer and happily accepted by most of us who contribute financially to it.
But of course, all good things come to an end, and over the decades, the NHS
has come under huge pressure for several reasons.
One is the fact
that people are living longer and longer, and so are requiring more healthcare and
for longer. Another is that science and technology inevitably moves on, and we
are now able to offer folk more and more complex procedures, which naturally,
they wish to avail themselves of,
whatever the expense. Consequently, the Health Service has been creaking and
groaning under the strain of trying to provide everything to everyone and
within budget.
In 2007, things
started to go badly wrong at my local hospital, Stafford, part of the Mid
Staffs Healthcare Trust. Those in charge were determined to gain Foundation
Trust status; something which would give them more say-so as to how funds were
used and services delivered. But corners were cut and staff numbers fell to
dangerous levels in an attempt to reach the targets demanded to gain this
status.
Many, many people
suffered poor care, neglect and even abuse, hospital infection levels were
sky-high, and over a three year period, the number of deaths of patients went
through the roof. It resulted in three separate enquiries, including the
Francis Enquiry, which took evidence from hundreds of folk and which reported
its findings two weeks ago. The press has been full of calls for those
responsible, most of whom have moved on, to resign and morale amongst remaining
staff is at an all-time low. Stafford Hospital has gone down in history as the
greatest scandal in healthcare since the formation of the NHS;- atitle which we
prefer not to have.
My own dear
husband was a patient during this period, and his was one of the cases
investigated. We were called to give evidence to one of the earlier enquiries
and ultimately awarded compensation for his experience. Sadly, he died before
he could receive the money, which might have made his last weeks more
comfortable and enjoyable.
What has happened
has made me very sad. Not just because he had to go through all that horror,
but because, despite some awful neglect and ineptitude, he did have two
excellent nurses, both male, and one of whom was a young Spanish man. Both
tried their hardest to do a good job in the most difficult of circumstances,
and to be caring to both patients and loved ones. They must be devastated to
have been unfairly branded ‘murderes’ by families of some of those who died and
who still feel tremendous resentment and hurt and want someone ‘to pay’.
We need our local
hospital and MUST support its efforts to improve. We can’t live in the past.
However painful it is, we must lay it down, learn from it and move forward,
together, or we may find the powers that be have decided enough is enough, and
Stafford Hospital has been closed down
“Colin’s Story-
the Hezekiah Years” tells of my husband’s childhood, his Christian faith and
experiences at the hospital as is available from www.selahministies.co.uk- books testimony. Proceeds to our local
hospice..
Across the pond ... Penny
