Kick the politics out of the NHS
The Issue
Send them all this message BEFORE the election
Our aim - By signing this Petition we are demanding that no matter who wins the election, the new government must put in place a plan to end political interference in the NHS. It makes no sense to continue as we are. We all agree about the fundamental principles of the NHS, we simply want it to be run properly.
Be under no illusion about WHY the NHS is in the mess it is now in.
o 18 Health Ministers in the last 35 years. A “Top Down” NHS and with politics, that Top never stops spinning!
o Totally inadequate focus on investment for equipment, buildings, and above all staffing. Instead our politicians have been all too ready to use the NHS as cannon fodder to try for short term advantage.
o There are now serious shortfalls everywhere. Except that is for the Big Bosses (the expensive ones), Lawyers and Public Relations staff, where in all three areas, the NHS never seems to run short.
o “Competition” and “contracting out ” dogmas have been followed blindly to the extent that the NHS is now a monster of disorganisation, disconnect and wasted opportunity
o Three mega reorganisations; all costly and all failed. Still a postcode lottery nationally , still chronic inconsistencies of service at community level. Sadly, still examples of major health scandals in some hospitals. Ultimately, this must be down to failings of management, but in fairness the politicians have hardly made their working environment easy.
o All effective democratic accountability and influence removed. At all levels, national, regional and local, we have no voice. We are on mute!
It adds up to Political Rot at the heart of the NHS and it is not healing. Billions and billions of pounds have been wasted. Bankrupt of money and bankrupt of ideas, yet all the parties continue to churn out the same old empty promises to “fix the NHS” ……. from a mess entirely of their own making!
Our Solution* - It must be based on a truly bottom-up approach to the way our NHS is run. Set up a proper, democratically elected, local NHS Community Group with Big Teeth and a Big Heart. The Big Teeth are to ensure we have proper dialogue and accountability between our NHS leaders and the people in the communities they are there to serve. For example having the Chair of the local Hospital Trust reporting on a monthly basis, similarly with the Senior Management of the GP “networks”. The Community Group will have direct contact with the Care Quality Commission to initiate inspections. At the same time all possible practical support will be offered. Together we will find ways of improving patient access to GPs, including evenings and weekends.
Some examples of the “Big Heart”
· The Community Group will be allocated funds to offer meaningful help to local volunteer Groups supporting people with health issues such as Alzheimer Support, Diabetes Support, Cancer Support etc. Help, particularly technology support, will be provided for people struggling to access NHS services.
· The Group will support all involved in promoting good health, both physical and mental. For example backing sports clubs, walking groups and in local initiatives combating loneliness and isolation.
· Once all is established, it is logical that the Community Group takes over the “Social Prescribing” role from GPs. (It is now estimated that one in five GP appointment nationally are taken up with non-medical issues)
· Liaison will also be made with young people to encourage them to gain a broader understanding of how the NHS operates and possible career opportunities for them. The Group will arrange offers of meaningful work experience for pupils at secondary schools.
· We would try to bring all these initiatives together by setting up a local volunteer NHS base using suitable vacant premises in our town centre
*NB This can only be a start. We do not possibly pretend we have all the answers. But this should encourage new thinking and new initiatives right up to national level. And all this to be done with full democratic accountability. We are confident that together we can get the NHS back to working as it should be. Finally though, we cannot promise instant solutions here. We are not politicians!
466
The Issue
Send them all this message BEFORE the election
Our aim - By signing this Petition we are demanding that no matter who wins the election, the new government must put in place a plan to end political interference in the NHS. It makes no sense to continue as we are. We all agree about the fundamental principles of the NHS, we simply want it to be run properly.
Be under no illusion about WHY the NHS is in the mess it is now in.
o 18 Health Ministers in the last 35 years. A “Top Down” NHS and with politics, that Top never stops spinning!
o Totally inadequate focus on investment for equipment, buildings, and above all staffing. Instead our politicians have been all too ready to use the NHS as cannon fodder to try for short term advantage.
o There are now serious shortfalls everywhere. Except that is for the Big Bosses (the expensive ones), Lawyers and Public Relations staff, where in all three areas, the NHS never seems to run short.
o “Competition” and “contracting out ” dogmas have been followed blindly to the extent that the NHS is now a monster of disorganisation, disconnect and wasted opportunity
o Three mega reorganisations; all costly and all failed. Still a postcode lottery nationally , still chronic inconsistencies of service at community level. Sadly, still examples of major health scandals in some hospitals. Ultimately, this must be down to failings of management, but in fairness the politicians have hardly made their working environment easy.
o All effective democratic accountability and influence removed. At all levels, national, regional and local, we have no voice. We are on mute!
It adds up to Political Rot at the heart of the NHS and it is not healing. Billions and billions of pounds have been wasted. Bankrupt of money and bankrupt of ideas, yet all the parties continue to churn out the same old empty promises to “fix the NHS” ……. from a mess entirely of their own making!
Our Solution* - It must be based on a truly bottom-up approach to the way our NHS is run. Set up a proper, democratically elected, local NHS Community Group with Big Teeth and a Big Heart. The Big Teeth are to ensure we have proper dialogue and accountability between our NHS leaders and the people in the communities they are there to serve. For example having the Chair of the local Hospital Trust reporting on a monthly basis, similarly with the Senior Management of the GP “networks”. The Community Group will have direct contact with the Care Quality Commission to initiate inspections. At the same time all possible practical support will be offered. Together we will find ways of improving patient access to GPs, including evenings and weekends.
Some examples of the “Big Heart”
· The Community Group will be allocated funds to offer meaningful help to local volunteer Groups supporting people with health issues such as Alzheimer Support, Diabetes Support, Cancer Support etc. Help, particularly technology support, will be provided for people struggling to access NHS services.
· The Group will support all involved in promoting good health, both physical and mental. For example backing sports clubs, walking groups and in local initiatives combating loneliness and isolation.
· Once all is established, it is logical that the Community Group takes over the “Social Prescribing” role from GPs. (It is now estimated that one in five GP appointment nationally are taken up with non-medical issues)
· Liaison will also be made with young people to encourage them to gain a broader understanding of how the NHS operates and possible career opportunities for them. The Group will arrange offers of meaningful work experience for pupils at secondary schools.
· We would try to bring all these initiatives together by setting up a local volunteer NHS base using suitable vacant premises in our town centre
*NB This can only be a start. We do not possibly pretend we have all the answers. But this should encourage new thinking and new initiatives right up to national level. And all this to be done with full democratic accountability. We are confident that together we can get the NHS back to working as it should be. Finally though, we cannot promise instant solutions here. We are not politicians!
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 17 June 2024