The NHS changes have come into affect today and so all
newspapers have been slating the Service and even pronouncing it “murdered.” I
understand they want the largest amount of views they can and so have to resort
to shock-tactics but does anyone actually consider what articles like this do to the NHS. As a public institution,
the Service relies on public perception and opinion; if the public lose faith,
the NHS will suffer as a result. This is even alluded to in articles, with one
even quoting Bevan’s words:
“The NHS
will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it”
Exactly.
This quote
sums up the exact opposite of what the media are currently fueling.
I know as a
(reluctantly frequent) patient that the NHS needs
change. Many aspects of it simply do not function and they need
restructuring – I welcome change, and have already seen some improvements in my
local hospital. I have faith in the NHS, and I will fight for it.
What do
these journalists base their ‘facts’ on? They over-politicize their articles,
desperately trying to win over the reader by tapping a nerve and sparking a “oh
I’m not really sure about these Tories and look! Look at what they’re doing to
the NHS – it says here that the NHS is dead.” The NHS to me should be viewed
somewhat separate to party politics – all party’s approach the NHS with the
same tact anyway, don’t forget there were 9 reorganisations under the previous
Labour governments. Whether these particular reforms are right or wrong is not
my problem today, it is this constant negativity from the media and how easily
it is lapped up by the public.
Because you
know what? The NHS isn’t dead. It will still be running tomorrow just as it is
today and around 1.5 million people will be treated. I wonder how many of those
treated tomorrow will have read these articles, perhaps even agreed with them and
yet, will still go to the GP, dentist, outpatient appointment, hip replacement
etc etc without one flicker of gratitude crossing their minds.
I know that other patients feel the same as me, and many surveys confirm this showing patient satisfaction with the NHS is consistently much higher than public satisfaction. Taking the NHS for granted, constantly complaining about it yet still expecting it to be there to pick up the pieces, that is what is destroying the NHS.
Where are you getting your opinion?
