Future of the NHS?

I had straw poll amongst my family once, asking if they liked New Year celebrations or not. It was a 50/50 split in the end. I was quite surprised because I always like to welcome in the new year preferably with a drink or seven but also in a spirit of getting it right this year. Last year is gone but I will do it better this year. It must be noted though that I rarely follow through with positive action! What surprised me was that I am a diagnosed anxiety sufferer but even I can see hope for the next year.

For the coming year I am wishing for a pay rise to be honest. I am not poorly paid by any stretch of the imagination, but thanks to a 2 year pay freeze and a change in my pension arrangements forced upon me (no hint of negotiation - a worse pension than before but still worth having), I now take home £14 a month less than I did when this coalition came to power. Not a huge sum it is true and as I say I am not poorly paid either. But thanks to inflation I am having to make choices that I have never had to make before. Like how to heat my house? I have to limit my car mileage to commuting only (public transport is not an option for many reasons not least of which is no direct route to work). 

As I said I am not poorly paid but my life choices are starting to narrow in a way which has not happened to me in my entire working life. 

Yes I know all about the credit crunch and the government's massive debt burden etc. etc.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

However this IS a political decision. The current coalition is trying to reduce the governments borrowing requirements. So austerity is a necessary evil. The economy is starting to grow so now is the time to be austere as it will take less time for the government's bills and income to match. 

However I am not impressed with the governments attempts to reduce the wage bill of the NHS. It is the largest factor in NHS payments but as I have said before care is given by PEOPLE. These people are required to train to a high standard to give that care and as a result should expect remuneration in line with their level of education and quality of care.

The general public in general appreciate this care and since it's inception no government has ever thought of breaking it up. However, public expenditure of this nature appears to be an anathema to the current crop of Conservatives.

"Real World"

It is time the NHS stood up for itself a bit more. Promoted itself. Management balls ups in Stafford and elsewhere do not help our cause. I blame management because the buck has to stop somewhere and if they truly believe they are managers they should be prepared to stand up and be counted. 

My final whinge is this - I want to live in the real world!

During the period I was having my pension "adjusted" there were many voices telling the likes of me to be thankful because this sort of pension was not available in the "real world"

However if the NHS was in the "real world" we would not be having this discussion. If I worked for a company that cut costs, delivered more product to more clients year in year out, we would be looking at a pretty successful company wouldn't we? If a company is doing well and is struggling to fill posts doesn't it improve it's pay and conditions to make it more attractive? Wouldn't the employees expect some recognition of that work?

The NHS is just such a company but is only doing 1 out of the above "real world" actions. 

Made me cry!