THE PATIENT AND THE NHS

The author sees a resurgence of private practice and the establishment of a two-tier system of care if the National Health Service does not change the nature of its relationship with the patient.

Abstract

A story of a hypothetical patient demonstrates the inadequacies of the National Health Service in delivering satisfactory patient care. Problems mentioned include lack of choice and ready access to physicians, long waits for care, loss of dignity in hospitals, lack of communication by health professsionals, disregard for pain, and reductions in facilities for geriatric care. The author sees a resurgence of private practice and the establishment of a two-tier system of care if the National Health Service does not change the nature of its relationship with the patient. She also advocates a sharing of expertise between doctors and nurses, an increase in the number of community hospitals, private hospital rooms, hospice care, and a reduction in working hours for junior doctors.