Our NHS needs protecting - trying not to be party political.

Luke 4: 18-20

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me

 to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour"

I made a phone call to the surgery and after the expected wait a polite and helpful receptionist responded. There was then a call back from a clinician seeking information with clear questions. An appointment was made for later that afternoon. Into the surgery having done a Covid test first, negative. A wait and then a thorough examination. Prescription given, other advice and a referral to have an x ray. An appointment made to check my blood. A trip to pharmacist and collection of prescription. Next day walk into hospital and x ray taken. two days later bloods taken.  All free at the point of need. Always happy to pay my taxes that I or others when they need it can access health care. All the health care staff were friendly and supportive. I just want this to be true for everyone but I know we are facing a crisis that must be resolved.

Having served for a period of my ministry as a local  hospital chaplain I recall the challenges facing that local hospital 36 years ago. One of the challenges was how to discharge patients back into the community, either their own home, nursing home or residential home. So beds were blocked because as a society we hadn't sorted this basic need out. And that was when we had more hospital beds across the country than now!! 

Another issue I recall discussing with the chief executive was how to prioritise  who had operations when working with a budget, e.g. an older person or a young person for a hip operation? The younger person could be back in work earning and paying tax able to look after their family. The older person possibly no longer paying tax? Yet the older person requiring even more support due to lack of mobility and deterioration of health because of it brought its own potential costs. What to do?

Over these past twelve years through regular visits to hospitals, nursing and residential homes I have observed the growing pressure upon all those involved in the health service and social care system. That is not just doctors and nurses, but cleaners, porters, care assistants, clerical staff etc. It really is a team effort. The tragedy of our society is we have moved from a world beating, world leading health system just ten years ago, to one which is crumbling. We have also had a very mixed picture with social care where it's been relying on peoples good will and the challenge of staff retention, many from abroad. While not always the case you have needed money for good residential and nursing care. Many times I have been asked to recommend a home which is fraught with difficulties.

Valuing people is not just about pay. It is having enough people in place who are well trained and motivated to give the care required, which I have just once again received, but know that is not everyones experience now.  Valuing people is also about them having the resources they need to undertake their role in well maintained medical and social care settings. But we cannot ignore that part of the picture is paying people enough so that they can provide for themselves and their families. To pay people a real living wage is a true investment in them and our society. They will in turn of course pay more tax and be able to buy more goods which all go back into the economy. It can't really be argued that to increase the wages of our public service workers will increase inflation as we already have high inflation and people have had ten years of real wage cuts. Expecting your work force to pay for parking at their place of work is bonkers and says something about how you value them. Our MP's get free parking, subsidised meals, free travel, many have claimed for their utilities and some even their Netflix subscriptions. There is a real disconnect between those holding high office and those who day in and day out deliver our vital services.

If it's true, as has been reported, that the government is telling training institutes not to train too many doctors this is also bonkers. Considering the real shortages we have we need to train more in readiness for the future. We know it takes years to train medical professionals. The cuts of ten years now reveal their  consequences. To reverse that will take a generation and requires society to invest for the long term. As in all areas of life the medical profession  has both natural reductions in numbers through retirement and those who as in all professions leave for a variety of reasons. You have to keep investing even to stand still. If some of those reasons for leaving are burn out due to impossible working conditions or not being able to afford to live then we only have ourselves to blame for creating such conditions.

The NHS was one part of how the poor were liberated, in this case from the fear of illness and debt. We surely do not want to return to a time when only those who have wealth can access good health care. So we need to support all those caught up in the NHS and social care crisis. They are simply asking for a level of pay that enables them to provide for their families. To invest in more people to become the doctors and nurses of the future. To raise the level of pay for those who work in social care so that staff can be retained to provide that care we would all hope for if we find ourselves in a nursing home.

God 

Father Son and Holy Spirit

One in perfect community

underpin with your presence 

all those working in the caring profession

with the energy needed to do their jobs.

Give to them endless patience 

as they deal with delightful 

and sometimes cantankerous folk.

Give to our political leaders

a new spirit of understanding

that truly listens

and acts to bring about the renewal

of our health and social care systems.

May they learn to put people before profit

and so build a just society. Amen                             (c) Mark Goodhand 2nd February 2023