Higham is just a little peeved and the issue he's peeved over is people talking apparent rubbish.On the NHS issue, I put the question of whether it is efficient, inexpensive and working well? Comments can be seen HERE.
Now the opinions are so diametrically opposed that it's not funny. This is not just shades of grey - this is the majority saying the NHS is appalling, kaput, *&^#$%ed and yet one or two have come in and said the exact opposite - that things are on the up and all is well.
There's something clearly wrong here and an outsider could be forgiven for thinking one side is telling porkies. So I'm going to do a poll [one of two polls today] with the simple question - is the English NHS:
1. terrible - it's a disaster
2. not too bad
3. much improved and does the job
I'm also running a poll on whether you believe the "official" line about certain situations:
1. JFK
2. Diana
3. David Kelly
4. the NHS
5. recovery of the economy
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE TWO QUESTIONS
The good thing with Survey Monkey is the poll layout. The bad thing is that you can't see results so twice a day I'll have to post them for readers.
I assume your poll is directed at English people only, as they're the only ones who still largely believe that there is such a thing as the 'British NHS'. People in the other UK nations know there are separate NHS's in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: different organisations, devolved government departments in charge of them, superior per capita funding.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could make this clear by changing the wording in your poll question from 'British NHS' to 'English NHS'.
The wording was for the American readers but of course, in these isles, the issue is very much an English one. I'll alter the wording.
ReplyDeleteTry using polldaddy. Real time reporting, easy to embed as a widget.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.polldaddy.com/
Emotive issues, conflicting opinions.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about the NHS; all I can rely on is some comments a few people that emigrated to here form the UK. They all seem to be happy with the U.S. system, which allows for immediate testing and treatment. One was astonished that he was able to get an scan on his knee the same day he visited the orthopedist. However, he doesn't like the cost.
ReplyDeleteI think the health services in other Eurpoean countries and N America are far superior. In terms of research though[thinking of John Hopkins university] UK use to be top notch.
ReplyDeleteI hvae little faith in the NHS.
Thank you all and i'll try Polldaddy next time.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with this debate is that everyone tries to cast it as absolutes - the NHS is better or private is better.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, there are state systems that are not the NHS.
Secondly, the NHS is not being proposed by President Obama.
Thirdly, it's probably fair to say that the best healthcare in the US is better than the NHS. It's probably also fair to say that the worst care in the US is worse than the NHS. It's a question on priorities - do you want everyone to have a decent service, or do you want the possibility of a better service?
For that reason, I disregard Rick's comment as being hearsay based on a sample nowhere near significance.
xD.
To be fair to Rick [with whom I'm on friendly terms and only at issue over this issue], he has published graphs and studies to support the contention that the NHS is OK.
ReplyDeleteThis poll and the couple of posts can only scratch the surface and speak in perceptions - absolutes, as you say, Dave but they're useful for a' that in that opinions are being expressed.
Like you, I'd like to know where the truth actually lies.
I can only comment on teh NHS as I find it myself
ReplyDeleteI have a congenital eye disorder that affects about one in 2500 of the population. Luckily it is correctable with RGP contact lenses. THese are free. The service received at my local hospital and specialist optician were superb.
I recently had an accident in which I ruptured my right Quadriceps tendon. My only bef with the service provided by the hospital was that the food was crap, In all other respects the treatment was very good
THe same goes for my father who had a heart attack 7 years ago and was fitted with stents. Cotratry top the lies spouted by Americans who damn the NHS he was well into his sevenies at the time - an age that if the lies are to be believed he should have been left to die untreated.
That's not to say there are not major deficiencies in the system, dentistry being a major case in point.
I have significant experience of the French, British and US systems and would rate them accordingly.
ReplyDeleteThe best system would be a hybrid of top-up market based system and universal with wider choice.
Nevertheless I'm always amazed at how the experiences which diss the NHS seem to somehow qualify as more valid than those which don't. Any horror stories about say the insurance based care in the US (rather than Medicaid) are simply ignored. And yet there are a whole bunch.
There isn't an honest debate on healthcare in this country.