Letters
Deterioration of the NHS
EDITOR, - We have recently expressed our concern in the national press about the deteriorating state of the health service.*RF 1-4* We have highlighted several important issues.Firstly, appreciable problems in the handling of patients with acute medical problems, due to lack of beds and the diminishing number of hours worked by doctors, have led to long delays in accident and emergency departments and admissions wards and dangerous clinical care. This has been aggravated by an unanticipated rise in acute admissions, which is a cause for concern itself.
Secondly, hundreds of medical beds have been closed throughout Britain. Major difficulties are being experienced by general practitioners in getting people into hospital.
Thirdly, doctors perceive barriers to voices of complaint. Managers are on fixed term contracts; consultants fear for their future income; trust boards are unable and unwilling to speak out as standards fall; and eight new regional health boards, with
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