NHS BUDGET – Possible way to save a great deal of money.

 Cut down the number of unnecessary, CONSULTATIONS.

 

Massive savings in NHS costs could be made by better administration as shown by this very simple example:

 

1. The doctor with all medical expertise intelligence and skill, in consultation with and examination of the patient, advises that an urgent SCAN is necessary. Accordingly, the doctor advises and refers the patient to the hospital, for the, SCAN.

 

2. Yet, the patient then receives a letter from the hospital advising that an appointment has been scheduled to see a CONSULTANT, for a specific date. But, also in this letter, the patient is further informed as follows:

 

3, ''If any other investigations (such as colonoscopy or scans) are required, these will not be done on the day. They will be ordered by the CONSULTANT and carried out within two weeks.''

 

 

Thus, two or three appointments now become necessary, for the patient; plus, all the extra cost to the NHS; when only one CONSULTATION and only once attending the hospital, might have been arranged.

 

Consider: the doctor has advised the hospital that in his or her ‘medical’ estimation the SCAN is necessary. The Hospital, then, should make immediate preparations to administer the SCAN. Not, arrange an appointment for a preliminary CONSULTATION, to determine whether the SCAN (or other treatment) is necessary.

 

That first appointment at the hospital should be to administer the SCAN.

 

Great saving to the NHS overall costs could be made by just eliminating this first unnecessary, CONSULTATION. Furthermore, in the event where the patient needs and requires HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION as well; instead, of the cost of two or even three journeys of the Ambulance, to transport the patient to and from their home; there could be, only one such journey required.

 

This would virtually cut the costs of CONSULTING and HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION, in the NHS, by at least half. 

 Its no use continually hearing the whining and the moaning complaining that the NHS hasn't sufficient funding; better administration by both those in charge of the budget; and, by Government not getting its 'priorities' right; is the root of the problem. As example in respect of Government, they are spending more than TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY BILLION POUNDS building four new nuclear submarines and renewing the 'Trident Nuclear Missile System', that the country really does not need. Where's the ENEMY?

 

RUSSIA has never 'once' threatened to attack our country in my lifetime. RUSSIA has only declared that it will defend itself and will respond with nuclear weapons, if RUSSIA is attacked by the West. So, where is the ENEMY? Where is that threat?, that, requires our constantly paying out so much money for, providing that defence? That money could and should be far better spent, providing 'properly' for the NHS.

Choose, 260 BILLION POUNDS FOR FOUR NEW NUCLEAR SUBMARINES?

Or, PROTON X-RAY installations throughout the country, for the treatment of cancer?

GET THE PRIORITIES RIGHT!

 

Gordon J Sheppard