On one level, you're right. On another level though, these people are paying lots of duty to HMRC through their lifestyle choices so they are entitled to some sort of service paid for by public money, no?

Increasing the tax take through closure of loopholes and proper enforcement at the top end and applying proper management disciplines within the NHS itself will help the situation.

No amount of party political basis should blind people to the reality of the number of government members with financial interests in private health care companies.

Well I think Simon's head is large; always involved in espionage. (Name that tune)

The yellow card was for starting straight back into the personal exchange on a different subject.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Where as calling someone a racist is OK.

I think I'll come back when all forms of abuse and prejudice carry the same punishments.

I am afraid I haven't read every post in this thread and so it is possible I am revisiting ground that has already been covered.

The original poster asked 'What's the view from the inside?'

I am a hospital doctor and this is my 12th winter working in the NHS (I skipped to Australia for 2 winters about 10 years back). I have discussed this winter with colleagues who have worked as long or longer than I and my overall considered opinion is I have absolutely no idea if this year is better, worse or the same as previous years. At ground level (from where I cannot see the 'big picture') it seems essentially the same as every other winter.

From the moment I arrive at work until 1-2 hours after my shift should have finished I work without a break and see an essentially limitless number of patients. This has always been the case. The ICU I work on is at capacity. This is always the case. Elective operations at my trust have so far almost always gone ahead, and while I have been on I don't believe we've cancelled a single operation for a patient with an urgent indication for surgery (such as cancer). I have not been told once I can't prescribe a drug or offer a treatment because we can't afford it. At the end of every month I get paid.

I am not saying that things are okay, are better or are worse than ever before. Just from the inside (but at ground level) it is just not possible for me to tell.

It certainly feels similar to every other winter.

Just be thankful it's a yellow card and not a yellow star.

Shame if you go, I read you every day.

Sorry, but that's the same kind of thing Hrolf got a yellow for.

Now you can both be persecuted by the man

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]