Sunak fiddles while the NHS burns
BMJ 2023; 380 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.p68 (Published 12 January 2023) Cite this as: BMJ 2023;380:p68
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Dear Editor,
"Sunak fiddles while the NHS burns". On the health front, this editorial should be shackle raising for the people of UK, as it comes straight from the pen of the Editor in Chief of the BMJ [1]. It concerns me as well to some extent, as it would to many people all around the globe, since BMJ is in a way the shining beacon for almost everyone around the globe. Whatever you do or don't, is sooner or later copied all around the whole world.
My guess is that the present situation would probably be due to multiple decisions taken ever since Covid made its appearance felt. This would include some actions, inactions, and interventions that have had an effect on the health care delivery system. While Covid's pressure was on, everyone was suggesting the best way forward. And then, all the major health bodies too had something consequential to say every now and then. In the din and cacophony, as also the urgent need to do something under the public pressure, many unwanted knee jerk reactions would have happened. Obviously the outcomes that are been witnessed now, would be the results of many policy decisions taken by Sunak's predecessors as well. All throughout we in India and many other countries, probably kept taking the cue from UK. If not, possibly we too would have continued with the lockdowns, if the UK did, when from all the news another lockdown had seemed almost imminent.
It would be more pragmatic and consequential if the BMJ spoke of the way to move forward from now on, rather than just worrying about the past and the current situation. Right now, and more than ever, specifics are needed. BMJ must raise its shining beacon and show the way forward, step by step, which would be a cue for the all the actions to be taken from now on. Autopsies on policy decisions can be done later, I suppose. Is it the right time for that? However, it surprises me that the BMJ would chose the current incumbent for the starting point.
The BMJ has all the knowhow, and the details. It must make a fresh start by giving out as health care advisories on what all should be done by the UK, and how. Lest you forget, the rest of the world is possibly looking at you for answers and the timely appropriate cues.
Best regards.
Dr (Lieutenant Colonel) Rajesh Chauhan
Honorary National Professor
Family Healthcare Centre,
Gawli Palasiya,
Mandaleshwar Road,
Near Shri Ravishankar Ji Dhyan Kendra,
MHOW,
INDORE (Madhya Pradesh). PIN 453441
INDIA.
Reference:
1. Abbasi K. Sunak fiddles while the NHS burns BMJ 2023; 380 :p68 doi:10.1136/bmj.p68
Competing interests: These are my own views, and have no bearing to any organization or positions that I may be holding.
Dear Editor
The system of universal health care in Canada is also collapsing. This has been in the making for some time under cover of Neo-liberal austerity measures that have under resourced Canadian health care. Covid-19 has accelerated the process of collapse and has opened the door wider for outsourcing and privatization. This is particularly the case in Ontario, the most populated province in the country. The Ontario premier touted nurses as heroes during the covid -19 pandemic but offered them a 1% salary raise which was viewed as a slap in the face (1). Burned out nurses are being outsourced at a considerable cost..
The Canadian story seems to echo what is going on the in UK. Incremental outsourcing and privatization has served a Trojan horse function in this process. This formula - progressive deterioration brought about by under resourcing - turns into a self fulfilling ideological strategy. It enables politicians to embrace a range of market solutions to the health care crisis they have themselves authored. Privatization in Canada seem immanent as aging baby boomers - the wealthiest and largest cohort in western countries - need more health care. Politicians tuned to a Neoliberal ideological key will then seek to further download their public responsibilities to the market. And Wall Street equity firms will see an affluent boomer cohort as another health care market opportunity to exploit in a global economy. Health care in Canada is poised for greater privatization.
1. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-nurses-pay-increase-ona-c...
Competing interests: No competing interests
How green is the BMJ?
Dear Editor
The BMJ recently enclosed an advertisement accompanying the paper version of the BMJ advertising "medical and knowledge-based tours" to destinations such as South Korea and Kolkota.
This is despite claiming that:
"As a medical journal, we are profoundly concerned with the environmental determinants of health and with the health consequences of environmental damage and neglect. Our editor-in-chief, Dr Fiona Godlee was one of the founders of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change."
https://www.bmj.com/about-bmj/how-green-is-the-bmj
It reminds me of a BMJ article many years ago criticising the promotion of formula feeds for babies (particularly in poorer countries), but then included an advertisement for formula feeds for babies in the journal.
Yours sincerely
Peter Gibson
Retired Geriatrician
Competing interests: No competing interests