THE NEW NHS

                 

http://www.hospitaldr.co.uk/features/what-do-the-plans-to-reform-the-nhs-really-mean-an-alternative-view

This article first appeared in the journal Red Pepper which as the name suggests has left of centre leanings and was created by "a coalition that supported the miners' strike of 1984-1985" . Now I'm no leftie but this article somehow resonated with me. Like the authors, I've often wondered why the process of commissioning needs to be so damned complicated and expensive.

I would agree that once the planned changes have taken place, the National Health Service in England  or whatever is left of it would look very very different to today's institution. Many significant changes have taken place in the NHS (UK and latterly and seperately,  England, Wales, Scotland and North Ireland) over the past 10-20 years but for many employed in the service, and for patients, these changes did not quite affect their day to day lives. I just cannot help but feel that this time, it will be very different. Everyone who works for or is served by the NHS will find themselves in a completely unrecognizable landscape in 5 years time. Like many I sincerely hope that that these changes will benefit primarily patients served by the NHS and secondarily ( a close selfish second at that) those who work within it. But like after other high stake revolutionary changes, the results will be either spectacularly successful or painfully disastrous for all.