Open Question: Why Americans must stop bashing the NHS (National Health service)?
ACROSS the pond, politicians have found a new way to bash Barack Obama.
They’re knocking his ideas for health service reform - and their trump card is to use the NHS as an example of ‘how not to do it’.
They reckon our health care system is uncaring, unfair and unbelievably bad.
Trump card? Joker more like. True, in the UK the NHS is a political football. And NHS-bashing is a national sport among both doctors and patients.
But that’s because the health service has become a victim of its own success.
Many people weren’t around before it was formed - or their memories don’t stretch that far - so they’ve no recollection of the bad old pre-NHS days.
And they’re used to such high standards that they get mardy when things aren’t spot-on.
Besides, an organisation that’s the largest employer in Europe is bound to generate a lot of hot air - not all of it positive.
So it’s time to defend the NHS by recognising its achievements. It’s stayed close to its founding principles.
It’s still free at the point of delivery and is based on need, not ability to pay. And it pretty much meets everyone’s needs - though not always their ‘wants’.
It’s made real progress with disease. We’re living longer than ever. The NHS can’t take all the credit for that, but it has played a large part.
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For example, childhood immunisations mean GPs like me may never see cases of measles or diphtheria. Screening programmes stop some illnesses in their tracks.
We’re making real headway in major killers such as heart disease or cancer. And the use of ‘evidence- based medicine’ means treatments are based on science, not guesswork.
Everyone has access to healthcare. Whether you’ve got a heart attack or an ingrowing toenail, you’ll be able to access care promptly.
Because somewhere near you there’ll be a GP, a casualty department, a walk-in centre and so on.
And gone are the days of endless waits for GP appointments or operation dates. Records are computerised to give staff quick and clear access to your medical history.
Health assessments … NHS checks up
And new health initiatives are underway - such as checks for those aged 40-74 to assess their risk of heart attacks or strokes.
It makes brave decisions. No system can fund every aspect of healthcare - so tough rationing decisions have to be made.
And we have the bodies brave enough to do it, like NICE - which some Americans seem to be criticising largely on the basis of its silly name.
Of course, things aren’t perfect. Dentistry has us grinding our teeth, the prescription exemption system is a prescription for unfairness and some innovations are irritations as they’re driven by politicians, not doctors.
But overall, those Obama-knockers have got it wrong. And if they won’t accept my argument how about a geography lesson?
The United States lies between Costa Rica and Slovenia - in the World Health Organisation’s ranking of health care systems, that is. Which puts them in 37th place.
The UK? 18th. I rest my doctor’s case.

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:44:01 GMT

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