Unfortunately the point seems to have been missed on this thread. There is
a problem with the governments manifesto pledge to reduce waiting lists. It
has committed itself to reduce both the maximum time waiting and the numbers
on waiting lists. 500 000 000 UKP is being spent on this. The problem is
this - routine cold surgery, especially procedures which can be performed
relatively cheaply and in high volumes is not, in my opinion, the most
pressing priority for the NHS. We may reach utopia one day but until then
priority setting is required. I am anxious that the quality of political
debate is improved and that the public is better informed regarding health
needs. Until then the person with slightly unsightly varicose veins who has
been waiting 18 months for surgery will have priority over the patient with
severe angina and a stenosed L mainstem coronary artery who has been waiting
1 year.
PCGs will not be able to ignore a government manifesto pledge. Is there any
hope of a more insightful manifesto pledge at the next election??
-----Original Message-----
From: Ahmad Risk <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 21 April 1998 00:53
Subject: Re: Health Priorities
>On 04/16/98 07:55:19, "Paul Caldwell" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>>er, perhaps well-run PCGs might sort out this problem and get clinicians
>>getting the priority setting right?!
>
>
>er, the problem described below is one of funding rather than
>priorities :-)
>
>>I have a patient with very severe angina - to the extent that he is
>>housebound. He has dipped into his meagre life savings to have a private
>>angiogram, the NHS wait being 8 months. It appears that he may have some
>>additional pulmonary problems and needs extensive further investigation.
>>These will have to be done on the NHS and if all is well he may be
suitable
>>for angioplasty. There is likely to be an overall wait of over a year
>>before he gets any active treatment. His need is desperate and I am not
>>sure he will survive the wait.
>[snip]
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