Why is the NHS under so much pressure?

When the NHS was set up in July 1948, it was to treat people with diseases.  Many of the diseases that would have killed people 65 years ago, have thankfully been cured or we have the ability to prevent, which is brilliant and we have all enjoyed the benefit of longevity.  That itself means people are living for longer, and possibly with illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease, which in turn means ongoing treatment and specialist care.

 

With an estimated ageing population of over one million people aged 65 years or over in the UK is it any wonder that Social Care and the NHS are feeling the pressure?

We all know that our NHS is under pressure. Whether we work in the health service, or rely on it to care for us and our loved ones, we can see the strain it’s under.

Then in July 2017 Theresa May pledged to oversee £85m in cuts to public health over the passage of the next year, this will of course in the long run cost the NHS more and have a damaging impact on the health and wellbeing of people in the UK. Despite nearly half of all hospitals in England declaring a major alert in the first week of the year, whereby the Prime Minister Theresa May admitted the NHS was under pressure.

This year alone we have had record levels of “bed blocking”, meaning elderly people with no medical need to be in hospital are stuck there.

Meanwhile A&E are recording rising numbers of patients turning up and are calling on procedures to change whereby only a Dr or 101 call handlers can refer a person to A&E.

Despite regular adverts and information regarding the use of Pharmacies and Walk in Centres people are still insisting on taking up GP surgeries waiting rooms – partly fuelled by the ageing population.

A shortage of GP’s mean waiting times have gotten longer and frustrations have grown.

The poster on the left is to demonstrate which services should be used for which ailment.