Sunday, December 23, 2007

Introduction

Welcome to my blog. I am a doctor working in the embers of what used to be the great NHS. I'm self employed and have invested in my Practice and patients. The NHS is changing, not because it needs to, not because it has to, but because someone wants it to in contradiction to all the evidence.

The NHS is changing, nine reoranisations in nine years tells us that. There are now more managers than beds in hospitals. Hospitals we are led to believe are dirty, dangerous places to go to. Hell yes - they are full of sick people I hear you cry!

This is true, but nasty superbugs also live there. Why? Perhaps cleaners don't clean, nurses don't nurse, doctors don't manage and managers don't doctor. Patients sometimes would rather die than go into hospital, and often their wish is granted.

Please do not be fooled by the facade of 'Holby' as a real hospital, as 'Doctors' as real primary care, unless your local really is the Queen Vic or The Rovers, or your Vicar really is Dawn French. The real world is out there and just as the local shops are being replaced by tiny supermarkets, the next target is the newly privatised NHS.

The NHS is at Custers last stand with General Practice being the circle of wagons surrounded by Apaches, the helicopter variety, supplied with Tommahawk cruise missiles, led by Chief Jaw Drop Brown and his Braves.

Be afraid, be very afraid. They have formed a pact with the mercenaries of Big Business and scalps are there for the taking. Your Primary Healthcare, or GP Practice as it was known in common language is 'The Best' and 'The Finest', and the envy of the world, but before long it will be just 'Basics' and 'Value' as your taxpayers money will end up as profit for the fat cats.

A question: Who does your GP answer to?

You the patients of course.


Another Question: Who does Big Business answer to?

Shareholders,
City Instituitions,
Investors,
Potential Investors,
Hedge Funds,
Venture Capitalists,
The Financial Services Association,
and maybe you the patient.

The End is Nigh.

And then what will we do??