Goverment confirms scrapping NHS direct.

[winegums]

do people honestly not see what is happening?

1. there will be an easy to remember number. if your out and about how do you find NHS directs number?! if your at home do you need to get online to find it?? i know it took me ages to find when i used it

2. they will have call center workers there instead of nurses. they will be created jobs for people with no qualifications.... which i thought was a good thing? tons of people claiming benefits will be able to work without getting a degree etc. the call center staff will also be fully trained AND probably use the same procedure as the nurses used. don't be fooled into thinking they used general knowledge, they looked through folders and on their computers which anyone can do.

3. the nurses who previously sat on the phone all day staring into space can actually go and do their ACTUAL jobs of treating sick and injured people in hospital wards or in the community.

4. If this had happened when labour were in power, as it would have if they had been voted for but luckily no one wanted them their would have been applause. Ohhh labour are amazing and trying to fix a stupid service that wastes time, money, resources and qualified medical staff

5. as its happened AFTER the conservatives were voted in (even though it was labours IDEA ANYWAY) everyone just wants to sit around and bitch and moan cos its what they love to do!

6. they are saving YET MORE MONEY to fix this goddamn country

 

[Snowball]

I've used NHS Direct more times than I can think of. It's a brilliant service and I've got so much information through using it. I'm sad they're replacing it but I suppose that's just how things are going to be under Cameron . *sharpens claws* I bet his family get top notch health services though...

 

[aly888]

Do you honestly think that the nurses that are working behind nhs direct will be re-located to the hospitals?! More than likely they will just be given a pat on their backs and sent on their way coz they have been replaced by people who HAVENT worked hard towards their career...is that fair?

And with regards to finding your local police number, if it's a non emergency then there should be plenty of time for you to open the front of your phone book or even just pop in to the police station itself!!

But anyway, although it doesnt sound like it, I actually think this can work well, if it's managed well. But the reality is, it probably wont be managed well and it wont be given the funding it requires!!

 

[PeanutBean]

What's interesting is how none of these NHS 'reforms' were in either Con or Lib manifestos. Along with a lot of other ideological stuff they're doing. None of it has the first thing to do with the deficit. Interesting also how the lively new IFS say the budget is regressive, hits the poorest hardest and will create much more unemployment (read double dip). Lol at Clegg trying to defend it while Dave's on holiday. Oh our special new independent financial body set up to prevent bad economic management and sleaze has got it all wrong and the treasury is right.

 

[kirmal12]

How did we cope before NHS Direct

 

[special_kala]

we coped because the NHS wasnt in such a poor state, because we didnt have as many people needing the same service and because doctors used to take on much more responsibility then they do now

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

When I had my MMC, I had a bit of a breakdown (obv) and they left me a week between finding out, and my treatment. I was awake constantly, working myself into a frenzy really. I spoke to a lovely man at NHS direct who spoke gently and kindly to me for ages. Sorted out sleeping tablets for me through the GP and generally treated me with respect. I will always thank them for that, they stopped me from going into complete meltdown.

111 was not designed to be NHS direct, and it will not forfill the same role. This is symptomatic of the Condem dismantling of the NHS and it cannot be allowed to happen because it won't be the last of it. I for one will be rioting on the streets before I let them take away our NHS for private healthcare.

I will be joining you! I cant believe people can not see it is happening right before our eyes!

Me to. Like PB said it wasn't mean to replace nhs direct it. But as usual they take a good idea and ruin it. They want to bring the NHS down.
Xx

 

[polo_princess]

5. as its happened AFTER the conservatives were voted in (even though it was labours IDEA ANYWAY) everyone just wants to sit around and bitch and moan cos its what they love to do!

6. they are saving YET MORE MONEY to fix this goddamn country

Is there really any need for the cursing? Makes your somewhat valid opinions seem quite rude.

 

[going_crazy]

Should we just have NO NHS? I'm sure the people from the US are laughing at this 'debate' right now..... Let just all pay for our healthcare, that would stop a lot of arguments!!
And, yes, I do realise that in effect we 'pay' for the NHS through our taxes etc, but we should all be grateful that we have some form of NHS, whether it's NHS direct or NHS111........?

I don't blame Cameron at all

 

[Blah11]

winegums, registered nurses don't just do the obvious nursey jobs.. there's loads of jobs they do and theyre not all direct patient care but it doesnt mean theyre not as important For example, a few of my mums friends (shes a ward sister) have auditing jobs and some have jobs where they do bed management or assessments for patients if theyre suitable for rehab, longterm NHS care etc etc

Its kinda ignorant to think that nurses only nurse patients.

 

[kirmal12]

we coped because the NHS wasnt in such a poor state, because we didnt have as many people needing the same service and because doctors used to take on much more responsibility then they do now

I agree totally and who has made the NHS so bad i wonder?, can't be the Tories now as the have only been in power 5 minutes, was it Labour the last 10 years or are people still going to harp back to the Tories 10 years ago?

 

[winegums]

Do you honestly think that the nurses that are working behind nhs direct will be re-located to the hospitals?! More than likely they will just be given a pat on their backs and sent on their way coz they have been replaced by people who HAVENT worked hard towards their career...is that fair?

And with regards to finding your local police number, if it's a non emergency then there should be plenty of time for you to open the front of your phone book or even just pop in to the police station itself!!

But anyway, although it doesnt sound like it, I actually think this can work well, if it's managed well. But the reality is, it probably wont be managed well and it wont be given the funding it requires!!

no of course i don't think they should be relocated, why should they be? they can apply for nursing jobs like everyone else does who loses a job and has to apply for another......... why exactly should they be an exeption?

as for non emergencies the point is to phone them when you don't know if you should phone an ambulance or not. it's obviously also for other things but many people will have phoned an ambulance in the past cos they don't want to waste ages trying to find a number for NHS DIRECT when their kid could be in trouble. with the new service they can dial 111 say 'here's the symptoms should is it an emergency?' and if it is they can phone 999 and say 'ambulance please' rather than sitting on the emergency services line working out whether it is an emergency in the first place when someone who truly IS having an emergency could be talking to that operator

 

[Blah11]

Also winegums, I find it quite hypocritical of you to praise the conserv/libdem mess for creating jobs on this 111 thing when theyve already culled loads of NHS jobs?!

 

[Dragonfly]

I dont think in NI we are entitled to that as I think I tried calling it and it said wasnt available to NI residents. What was it anyway like a helpline? we just have doc on calls and a and e.

 

[Blah11]

What are you people on about? The NHS is a lot better than it used to be. Waiting lists are smaller, there were more nurses until the job cuts , better stocked wards, better equipment, less infection on the wards like mrsa and cdiff, etc etc

 

[winegums]

winegums, registered nurses don't just do the obvious nursey jobs.. there's loads of jobs they do and theyre not all direct patient care but it doesnt mean theyre not as important For example, a few of my mums friends (shes a ward sister) have auditing jobs and some have jobs where they do bed management or assessments for patients if theyre suitable for rehab, longterm NHS care etc etc

Its kinda ignorant to think that nurses only nurse patients.

i never said nurses only nurse patients?! i think it's a waste of time and money having them sitting on a phone all day when other people could do that job.

 

[Blah11]

Do you honestly think that the nurses that are working behind nhs direct will be re-located to the hospitals?! More than likely they will just be given a pat on their backs and sent on their way coz they have been replaced by people who HAVENT worked hard towards their career...is that fair?

And with regards to finding your local police number, if it's a non emergency then there should be plenty of time for you to open the front of your phone book or even just pop in to the police station itself!!

But anyway, although it doesnt sound like it, I actually think this can work well, if it's managed well. But the reality is, it probably wont be managed well and it wont be given the funding it requires!!

no of course i don't think they should be relocated, why should they be? they can apply for nursing jobs like everyone else does who loses a job and has to apply for another......... why exactly should they be an exeption?

as for non emergencies the point is to phone them when you don't know if you should phone an ambulance or not. it's obviously also for other things but many people will have phoned an ambulance in the past cos they don't want to waste ages trying to find a number for NHS DIRECT when their kid could be in trouble. with the new service they can dial 111 say 'here's the symptoms should is it an emergency?' and if it is they can phone 999 and say 'ambulance please' rather than sitting on the emergency services line working out whether it is an emergency in the first place when someone who truly IS having an emergency could be talking to that operator

They will be relocated if its part of their contract which is probably will be. They have to relocate NHS staff to a similar job that they have the skills for and pay them the same or better

 

[winegums]

Also winegums, I find it quite hypocritical of you to praise the conserv/libdem mess for creating jobs on this 111 thing when theyve already culled loads of NHS jobs?!

i'm not praising them i'm pointing out some benefits of this scheme as everyone wants to ignore any good points and sit bitching just because it happens to include the conservatives

 

[PeanutBean]

Labour created the NHS. Everytime they're in power the Tories do everything they can to destroy it because they believe that people who can afford to pay should be treated first. Labour have made mistakes as every party does, too many targets though some targets have been fab such ad cutting waiting lists especially for cancer treatment. There are many poor elements of the NHS that predate Labour such as the removal if dental services.

I've yet to meet a single person who works in the NHS who is glad the Tories are in and happy with what they're doing.

 

[winegums]

Do you honestly think that the nurses that are working behind nhs direct will be re-located to the hospitals?! More than likely they will just be given a pat on their backs and sent on their way coz they have been replaced by people who HAVENT worked hard towards their career...is that fair?

And with regards to finding your local police number, if it's a non emergency then there should be plenty of time for you to open the front of your phone book or even just pop in to the police station itself!!

But anyway, although it doesnt sound like it, I actually think this can work well, if it's managed well. But the reality is, it probably wont be managed well and it wont be given the funding it requires!!

no of course i don't think they should be relocated, why should they be? they can apply for nursing jobs like everyone else does who loses a job and has to apply for another......... why exactly should they be an exeption?

as for non emergencies the point is to phone them when you don't know if you should phone an ambulance or not. it's obviously also for other things but many people will have phoned an ambulance in the past cos they don't want to waste ages trying to find a number for NHS DIRECT when their kid could be in trouble. with the new service they can dial 111 say 'here's the symptoms should is it an emergency?' and if it is they can phone 999 and say 'ambulance please' rather than sitting on the emergency services line working out whether it is an emergency in the first place when someone who truly IS having an emergency could be talking to that operator

They will be relocated if its part of their contract which is probably will be. They have to relocate NHS staff to a similar job that they have the skills for and pay them the same or better

well that's good then huh? i wouldn't have expected them to do that so it saves them looking for jobs.... win win