The cost of running the NHS is in the news again today, Monitor (the sector regulator for Health Services) have asked the 46 Foundation Trusts within England to review their finances due the expected deficit by the end of the current financial year.
We should stop providing free healthcare, other than emergency treatment, to non-residents. Residency would be proved with an ID card which can only be obtained with proof of continuing employment. Tourists would still receive cover as their insurance companies would be billed directly and automatically.
I have several friends in the Ambulance service - one of them told me a story of their dispatch receiving a call detailing a case of electrocution. They arrived at the property under 'blues' to find the patient sitting drinking tea. Asking when the electrocution happened they were told 'oh, about 3 weeks ago, but when I arrived in the country I was told I could get free treatment so I called 999'.
We are constantly being told that there is a shortage of doctors and consultants leading to vacancies in hospitals. This is clearly not the case as those vacancies are able to be filled with expensive agency medics. The Government should make the decision that with effect from the 1st April 2016, NO agency use will be funded within NHS hospitals.
Similarly with nurses and support roles.
Non-clinical supplies should be purchased from wherever gives the best price, not just from an 'approved list' of suppliers who charge 2, 3 or even 4 times the amount available on the open market.
Stop using taxis to transport notes and drugs. No-one is discharged instantly, so there is time to have any prescribed drugs ready for the patient to take with them. If notes need to be moved across sites, there are porters who would be able to do this using a pool vehicle.
Stop restructuring! It costs millions to implement new structures which could go on patient care.
I have been without a car for many years now, two redundancies and residual debt saw to that. But I had a promotion and payrise last July and have been saving ever since and I have finally saved enough to buy a decent second (third?) hand car.
I tried a few dealers that were local, by which I mean easy to get to on foot or by bus and hadn't seen anything that really grabbed me. Some of the dealers I walked into, turned around and came straight out again as they just felt 'wrong' for want of a better word. I have had feelings like this before, generally hotels and bars and have just had to walk away.
Last Saturday, Dad drove me over to Michael Kiernan Cars in Anstey, Mum came too but 'just for the ride, she would wait in the car'. And as we drove in, it just felt 'right', it wasn't a new place (they have been in business since 1973) and the cars weren't sorted into any particular order, but it felt welcoming. We were greeted but left to wander around, which we did, all going in different directions (Mum had decided that she would have a look round too).
I was immediately drawn to a car right in the middle, it was a mucky looking Fiat Punto. I went and found a salesman who fetched the keys. He talked to us about the car briefly and then left us to it. We all checked various things on the car, Dad went for the engine, Mum for the boot, I checked everywhere else.
I made an offer and it was accepted.
I arranged to collect the car this weekend. By the time I collected it, it had been MOT'd, cleaned and few issues sorted. I was also given a 3 month warranty.
It is a fantastic little mover and I do feel I have got a bargain.
I will definitely be going back when it is time upgrade.
