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Ulster
I think the NHS is getting worse mainly because that is what I expect to happen but also because the facts - such as I am aware of - seem to bear me out.
What do you mean by worse?
- Golly, that’s a good question. What do I mean by good? Dunno, maybe it’s one of those things where you know it when you see it. Hmm, need to think about this one. I mean, one formula I’ve thought about is what I would do with the money I have paid over in tax to the NHS if it were given back to me. I don’t think I’d spend it on the NHS. Mind you, what with good being an individual thing and all, it’s up to the reader to come up with his own tests.
Why do you expect it to get worse?
- Because it is a state-owned enterprise and state-owned enterprises (pretty much without exception) get worse over time.
What makes you think that?
- Well, obviously it is difficult to measure goodness but most of the industries such as coal, steel and rail that were profitable when first nationalised were making huge losses a few years later. British Leyland made cars that became a national joke. Some that were loss-making when taken over, such as cars and ship building never recovered and to all intents and purposes were closed down.
Why do you think state enterprises get worse?
So, what’s the evidence that the NHS is getting worse?
- A few things:
- The seemingly never-ending list of horror stories
- The testimony of blogger, Dr Crippen. He has been working in the NHS for many years. He says it is getting worse. As he says:
When I started as a doctor, I could genuinely say to patients that they really did not need private health insurance. Better bed and breakfast perhaps, but the NHS still delivered. Now I tell people to keep up their BUPA payments whatever the cost. Sell your daughters into the slave trade if necessary, but do not forgo private medical insurance.
That’s one hell of a recommendation.
You don’t mention your own experiences.
- Mainly because they are so far apart and so different. Though I can’t say that my own recent experiences or those of friends and family exactly inspire confidence.
Nothing yet but you never know...