Budget busting

Is it not time that we looked at cutting out waste and improved systems?

Recently a friend of mine was dying in a local hospital when two NHS personnel visited his house to ascertain what assistance he would require when he returned home. 

It was clear to those of us who visited him – he was 91 – that he was never going to leave the hospital and a doctor gave him two weeks to live. 

In fact he died within a week.

Notwithstanding this, the NHS workers went through all the appliances he might need, eg commodes, emergency bells, a key-holding device at the front door, etc. 

None of this came to pass and was a complete waste of NHS time. 

Surely this sort of exercise could have been carried out when the doctor said that he would be fit for discharge in a few days?

On a more general note it is reported that NHS is paying more than £3 for a packet of paracetamol which can be purchased at a supermarket for 20 pence or less.

In the same way that some medical procedures are not used in the NHS as the cost is thought to exceed the possible benefit, at the other end of the scale it would seem sensible to restrict the prescribing of medicines which can be readily obtained at modest cost.

The cost of the NHS continues to explode and we really should be thinking of some charges being introduced. 

This might reduce the number wanting to see a doctor for every minor ailment and a similar charge could well be levied on those who miss appointments. 

It could be argued that such charges would penalise the poorest, but we are able to identify children eligible for free school meals and a similar principle could be applied to free medical appointments. 

Most Western countries seem to be able to work a system which involves patient contributions and it is worth noting that most of these have better health systems and more beds per head of population.

Geoffrey Richards,
Ashton Lodge,
Ashton Road,
Hilperton,
Trowbridge.