Paul B is right of course
<<It may be good politically for this govenment pandering to those
requesting it, but they cannot afford it and the resources are not there
to provide it.
Now before someone tells me be careful - the private sector will move
in, my response will be if there is no money for it then why??>>
This is called creative accounting. Gordon Brown et al know damn well
that money spent on health care is...money spent on health care. It all
adds up to the same % of GDP.
But pushing the private agenda (whether it be more stuff bought OTC or
setting up nice shiny evening clinics) will divert more money down the
private route and allow HMG to trundle on without raising taxes too much.
It may also reduce the amount of middle-class whingeing about the NHS
and thereby help re-election.
The NP vs GP argument---I have worked with a few NPs and learned a lot
from them but it is obvious from working with them why they cost just as
much as GPs when it comes to dealing with the undifferentiated madness
which comes through the door on Monday mornings and Friday evenings. But
I think the big advantage is that by and large they are nowhere near as
difficult to manage as GPs. Long-term employment, especially in the NHS,
tends to tone down the bolshy genes.
Declan
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