The NHS has been in existential crisis in some form or other since its inception.
For doctors in the NHS, for the last 20 years the mirage of 4 hour target, the Junior* doctors strike, the seven-day NHS, Dr. Bawa-Garba case, the disappearing NHS mental health beds, all pretty much consumed their resources and emotional capacity, before the current COVID-9 pandemic.
* apparently now a undesirable descriptive word to reflect their status
Clinicians having to agitate or beg for resources, fighting against the tsunami of bureaucracy and political whims, and deal with ever changing goalposts.
I am therefore surprised to hear of anyone writing about being too content in their work, or perhaps I am missing the irony somewhere.
But I digress.
My main reason for this response is in reaction to the statement: "The Australians collaborate, providing free public healthcare to the poorest people and the same quality healthcare in a better environment to those who are insured."
There is too much to discuss about this idealised picture, except for me to suggest Dr Morgan's opinion may change if he came to work in various states of Australia.
Or perhaps he may not.
Afterall, clinicians working in well-funded episodic care silos like intensive and emergency care may be insulated from dealing with issues other clinicians may face trying to give long term care to patients who have chronic health condition in the real world.
Nevertheless I wish him all the best in the land Down Under.
Rapid Response:
Re: Matt Morgan: The NHS needs a midlife crisis
Dear Editors
The NHS has been in existential crisis in some form or other since its inception.
For doctors in the NHS, for the last 20 years the mirage of 4 hour target, the Junior* doctors strike, the seven-day NHS, Dr. Bawa-Garba case, the disappearing NHS mental health beds, all pretty much consumed their resources and emotional capacity, before the current COVID-9 pandemic.
* apparently now a undesirable descriptive word to reflect their status
Clinicians having to agitate or beg for resources, fighting against the tsunami of bureaucracy and political whims, and deal with ever changing goalposts.
I am therefore surprised to hear of anyone writing about being too content in their work, or perhaps I am missing the irony somewhere.
But I digress.
My main reason for this response is in reaction to the statement: "The Australians collaborate, providing free public healthcare to the poorest people and the same quality healthcare in a better environment to those who are insured."
There is too much to discuss about this idealised picture, except for me to suggest Dr Morgan's opinion may change if he came to work in various states of Australia.
Or perhaps he may not.
Afterall, clinicians working in well-funded episodic care silos like intensive and emergency care may be insulated from dealing with issues other clinicians may face trying to give long term care to patients who have chronic health condition in the real world.
Nevertheless I wish him all the best in the land Down Under.
Competing interests: No competing interests