THE deterioration in the National Health Service has become so serious and widespread that I believe that a Royal Commission is urgently needed to investigate the causes and make recommendations that the Government will be forced to accept.

My voluntary work includes serving as secretary and treasurer for the Wiltshire Retired Firefighters Association. This brings me daily knowledge of some of our members struggling with the failures and inadequacies of the services provided for the health and welfare of the elderly. But it isn’t just the elderly who are being failed.

It seems to me that wherever you look within our precious NHS there is evidence of severe pressure and stress on people and resources. Here are just a few examples.

Waiting lists for elective surgery are rapidly increasing and the 18 weeks target has long since been abandoned. I have just heard of a WRFA member being told the wait is at least a year for knee replacement.

The GP service is alleged to be near collapse with doctors seeking to leave it and recruitment of new ones proving difficult.

‘Bed blocking’ is still happening and there is still work needed to get better liaison between hospitals and the care services run by local councils.

The ambulance services and Accident and Emergency departments are under immense pressure throughout the nation.

Mental health services are in an appalling state and it has taken members of the Royal family like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to recently draw to public attention the importance of providing for the mentally ill.

When it comes to staff morale within the NHS, the capping of pay rises to only one per cent must deal a severe blow to staff morale when it is only their loyalty and dedication that is propping up services under great strain.

I can see that the attention of the Government is focused on Brexit because of its importance to all aspects of future life within the UK. However, sorting out Brexit is going to take years and unless action is taken soon to deal with the weaknesses of the NHS I fear for its future.

I am sure that increased funding is part of the solution to the NHS’s problems but I doubt that simply throwing money at it will provide the long term cure that a 'sick' NHS needs. I should like to see a root and branch review of the NHS leading to reforms that will put the NHS back on track and secure its future as a world beating health service. To my mind only a Royal Commission will have the status to do this now.

However, the major impediment to this happening is that only the Government has the power to instigate a Royal Commission. The Sovereign has little to do with it and I can’t see any resident of 10 Downing Street adding to their own problems by accepting that a Royal Commission into the NHS is needed.

Wouldn’t it be marvellous if a commission carrying out a reforming investigation into the NHS was made a truly ‘royal’ body by a member of the Royal family such as the Duke of Cambridge or Prince Harry being appointed to head it? These are men who could rise above the ugly cut and thrust of politics and use the concern that they have already shown for the sick and disabled to a further positive outcome.

However, whoever heads it, I should be satisfied if after the General Election a Royal Commission into the NHS is appointed.