An alternative guide to the new NHS in England 

ELIAKIM: My experience exactly!!!! The NHS is a sick joke - and it is "only" those who are reaping the most profits out of it are laughing............. while the rest of us have to suffer.

Sparkol

David De Mola: I would assume that the reason for the structure of the NHS (the same as any other field of politics) is made "complex" because of the amount of "corruption" and "extreme dishonesty" involved in it. And this is why they "want" and "prefer" it this way - so as they can negotiate, decide and execute everything with absolute corruption at every angle - right down to the last detail. Therefore in this case, nothing can be simplified. Whereas, if the system was straightforward, honest and bonafied, then everything connected to it would perhaps be far more simple. I trust that this helps in answering your question.

@@bigcityjunglecatenvisageth1422 By your argument any complexity in any system leads to corruption, but there is no reason whatsoever that this should always be true. The point I am making is that often complexity in the organization reflects the complexity in the activity being undertaken. And I am questioning the assumption that an "honest system" has to somehow necessarily be simple. Are the planes you fly on or the cars you drive in "dishonest systems" (whatever that means) simply because they are complex? Do you have any idea how complex a system you need even to have the most basic surgery carried out? It's a very dangerous idea, IMO, to argue for simplicity for its own sake, disconnected from any analysis of whether it brings about a benefit. Case in point: would it not be simpler if we all paid a flat tax rate: rich man, poor man beggar man and thief? Emphatically no! That would make for a simpler tax code certainly, but it would be deeply unfair overall, giving the well off a huge windfall, and starve public services. Again heed Einstein!

@@NameSurnameYear: Actually no, I am not saying it is the "complexity" within the system which is the cause of the corruption. I am stating the very oposite - that it is the "corruption" which is causing the system to be so overly complicated. Alternatively, if the system was run in good faith and with honesty, then there would not be all of the underhand scheming/plotting etc, which is going on. For one example, they are always working to privatise and sell off the health-service to the highest bidders (even arms-dealers) as long as they can put up enough money. It is all such a dirty business - beyond disgusting. I don't know if you are thinking along the lines that if something "should not" be happening then it "wouldn't" be happening - correct me if I am mistaken - but it is just that there are quite a few people who do not believe the extent of corruption, foul-play and skulduggery that goes on behind the scenes. But I live in the real world - where nothing surprises me anymore. I've been on the recieving end of it way too often......... Would sure have some horror stories to tell, believe me. Nothing is that innocent.

The average person? lol. I only speak from experience of talking to hcp's from around the world (especially in Australia where they have become more privatised) who are envious of our socialist system. Sure, it needs improvements, but it is fantastic- despite the media/ gov attempts to point out how crap it is to reduce it's value so they can sell it off

Stephen Robson Ok, cool

S Robson Hilarious. The article you link to argues that the UK has the highest infant mortality in W. Europe because of high rates of smoking in pregnancy and poverty. Is it the NHS that should be educating people and raising their standards of living? Nope that's the government's job and let's face it, the current lot aren't too slick on either. Especially amusing as a less recent (2005-2010) UN analysis ranked us higher than several of the countries that fell below us in the study from The Lancet (I wonder if you've actually read that study, by the way?). Pretty clear that we're not in line with the rest of Europe in terms of recent advances; i.e. since the current government came in and started dismantling the NHS. Additionally in that previous study we ranked 25th overall of 188 countries. Not exactly cause for riots in the streets. Similarly the causes for our lackluster cancer survival rates are multifarious according to your link, but they include patients who don't make appointments with their GP until it's too late (common in the UK, especially with men), lack of funding (the NHS is operating on a shoestring compared to global healthcare systems, something has to give), and delays in GP referrals (I'll give you that one, but spend a day in the life of an overstretched NHS GP before you pass judgement). Meanwhile this report last year www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/uks-healthcare-ranked-the-best-out-of-11-western-countries-with-us-coming-last-9542833.html pretty clearly showed that the NHS is the most efficient system in the world as a ratio of funding to outcomes. That is, despite the chronic underfunding and shortages that the NHS suffers, it continually punches above its weight in medical care globally. THAT is why there are people who fight to save it, and would happily pay more tax ease the pressure it's under. But then, I'm sure your highly scientific and rational brain knows what's best and if you can mastermind a massive, top-down, complete healthcare reform that wouldn't negatively affect outcomes in the short to long term for ordinary people like you and your daughter, then Jesus Christ! Why aren't you running the f***ing country!?

Birdman ^^ this is brilliant

goodomens I can't take it either. Ellen Reiss, the Aesthetic Realism Chairman of Education wrote: "Once you are after profit, you can’t be too interested in what people deserve. … It will cramp your ability to make money from them." To me this explains the mindset of the people doing the privatising and why they are able to be so callous and short-sighted. See aestheticrealism.org/about-us/articles-in-the-press/6704-2/

Can you imagine how many smart people would loose their jobs of deciding where the money should go?

Sell Off: I can see you'd put this on here five years ago, but I am going to check this out from your link (if it's still available). But where the NHS is concerned - I am sure that nothing will shock me - from the lousy/terrible experiences I've had with them over many years. I have seen the absolute worst of the worst (utterly contemptable and shameful).

slow it down g