Reforming NHS

Today's papers are reporting further mismanagement of the NHS. A leaked document has revealed that the government expects a shortage of nurses and GPs in four years but the NHS will have to reduce the number of hospital doctors to save money. Also, many trusts are cancelling and postponing operations and treatments to reduce the deficit for the financial year.

These reports demonstrate the poor management of the health care system. The government imposed initiatives and costly targets have resulted in huge deficits and poor service for patients. It is clear that the NHS needs to be reformed but the government by introducing a huge number of initiatives at once without a clear overall direction has worsened the situation. More responsiblity at the local local level is the solution to better quality of service.