Nhs Facing Huge Funding Gap

[mikey4444]

Four years ago, when the Tories entered Number Ten again, they promised that NHS spending would be ring-fenced and that no cuts would be imposed, unlike all other areas of expenditure. But it now appears that there is a huge funding gap opening up, and it is destined to get even bigger next year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27894551

Is the NHS still safe in Tory hands ?

[douglas9401]

No.

[mikey4444]

Well, a short and sweet answer douglas !

[DrFilth]

i agree with douglas

[Canary42]

No it most certainly isn't.

[whiskeryron]

When Bill & Ben got into Number Ten they promised all manner of things would be safe in their hands. I wouldn't trust any of 'em as far as I could throw 'em.

[youngmafbog]

The two do not necessarily equate.

The funding gap has probably been caused by overspending on the NHS. For instance it has come to light that many 'cosmetic' operations are being carried out and it is on a big increase.

In addition the NHS is poorly run, it's management structure is archaic and soaks money as the managers build mini empires. Teh Tories are guilty of not breaking this culture.

Brown found out that pouring money into the NHS is not the answer so for you to blindly want to commit billions more is a bit short sighted.

[Sqad]

The finances of the NHS have been mishandled for 35+ years, which has involved both Tories and Labour both of which at the beck and call of the Unions and the electorate..........the downside of State Medicine.

I really do not understand all the screaming and shouting about "CUTS" as both parties pre-election admitted "CUTS" the only difference being, the speed of the cuts.

The Treasury minister, Liam Byrne (I think) left a message in his office saying to the incoming Minister "There is no more money left."

Get it? "NO MORE MONEY LEFT."

It is nice to get at the Coalition or indeed any other presiding Government, but the fact remains that the NHS is bankrupt...YES...bankrupt and this is because of mishandling by both left and right of political persuasions.

Of course, ANY incoming Government would lie about "ring fencing " the NHS...that is what the public want to hear.

The British public have the health system that they want and deserve.

[mikey4444]

The following statement, from the NHS, would seem to gainsay your post
YMB ::::

"In a statement, the Department of Health said: "The NHS is on track to make £20bn savings this parliament and we are confident that it will continue to make the savings necessary to meet rising demand."

I seem to recall that the security of the NHS was a major reason why Major Minor lost power so spectacularly in 1997. Is the NHS better off now than it was in May 2010...that is my question for all the Tory voters on here !

[Gromit]

Ymb,
Not sure any of that is true. The NHS has been modernised recently and its budgets are fixed. It is very business like, and many parts have been privatised.

The funding gap is due mainly to our increasing population, increasing expectation and an ever aging population.

The ringfencing of funding was a daft thing to agree to, but it was supposed to be an election bribe (but it didn't quite work).

Unfortunately, as the election is in less than a year, the Government or the opposition are not going to take the necessary steps to get NHS spending back under control.

[youngmafbog]

And that too is part of the problem squad. It is not just the British public that have the system.

Those on the left love it to be a World Health system in their share everything but mine world.

[jomifl]

When GPs are paid the same as their continental cousins I will believe that the funding problem is being addressed.

[Sqad]

The Unions have done a great job for their members in the NHS, compared with the rest of Europe there are grossly OVERPAID, doctors, nurses and ancillary staff.

Unaffordable but Politically expedient.

[mikey4444]

Morning sqad !

Interesting view. All that you say may very well be true but dave pleged that there would be no cuts in the NHS and quite clearly, there have been, despite the MHS being "on track to make £20bn of savings" this year alone.

I realise that the NHS can be a black hole, expenditure-wise but I am just asking ....Is the NHS still safe in Tory hands ? It would be unrealistic to expect every incoming regime to keep 100% to its promises, but I just want people to admit it !

[Gromit]

// The Treasury minister, Liam Byrne (I think) left a message in his office saying to the incoming Minister "There is no more money left." //

I am amazed that this quote is often trotted out as fact. It was in fact a joke. And not an original one at that. Of course there was money left or the country would have ground to a halt within weeks.

[Sqad]

mikey........good morning.....the NHS cannot be "unsafe" in the hands of ANY Political party.....that is the problem.

[mikey4444]

If any party promises that the "NHS is safe in our hands" in the run-up to next years Election, will anybody believe them again, given that the present regime has broken that promise ?

[Sqad]

Gromit.....^^^^^ maybe" maybe!....but surely you get the picture.

[Sqad]

mikey...........promises, broken promises....they will not have the slightest effect on the forthcoming election..........or any other election for that matter.

The NHS will play only a minor part in deciding who will win the next election.

[Gromit]

Mikey

Cameron actually said there would be no cuts in SPENDING. He did not say there would be no cuts in service. There has not been a cut in funding of the NHS, but spending has not kept up with inflation so the same money does not go as far. So cuts are inevitable while spending is maintained.

[Canary42]

A 2bn gap.

How much was Vodaphone's tax avoidance - 6bn ?

But they're Capitalist Cronies of Cameron's Eton Mess.