The BIGger issue
The controversial NHS reforms continue to receive flak in the public eye. In their latest efforts, the opposition and media are now playing up the "privatisation" clauses within the bill. Albeit a very effective move on their part (the very mention of paying for treatment unleashes clan like fury in the English), I cant help but feel that if the bill is shot down in Parliament, it would ultimately be for the wrong reasons. When the original draft was presented, the biggest issues were in fact the increased budgeting responsibility GP's would have to take on as both doctor & accountant, the moral & ethical dillema this situation presents, and the feasibility of the mandated 5 year cost saving targets. This efficiency program - QIPP is now 10 months into implementation. There are some success stories, but there are other regional clusters that are in real trouble. Read on here. The reality is that the issue of privatisation shouldnt even make it into the top three. The repercussions of clusters & trusts being unable to hit their savings targets could completely transform accessibility of services in these troubled regions. The impacts of such worst case scenarios should be the real debating point.
