The Modern National Health Service
The post-war introduction of universal free school age education and the creation of the National Health Service are amongst the greatest achievements of the Labour Party. These two outstanding events still have a firm place in the hearts of Labour Party members.
Like most Labour Party members, I believe that the National Health service should be paid for through taxation and free at the point of need. Changing times have created different and new challenges for the National Health Service but this underlying principle is still sound.
During its time in office the Labour Government has trebled expenditure on the NHS. The new questions are about priorities, about the effective use of public money, about management structures, and about the application of advancements in medical science within the National Health Service.
There are real questions about how priorities should be set and decisions made in a service that is publicly funded and offers universal provision. On the 18th September I was able to attend a unique event in Newcastle organised by the National Health Service and aiming to explore the answers to some of these difficult issues. Newcastle was linked to other regional centres in the United Kingdom by video linkup, members of the public mixed with health care professionals to see presentations and to respond to key questions affecting the running of the modern National Health Service.
The Prime Minster and the Health Minister Lord Darzi, himself a top surgeon, addressed the meeting by video link from Birmingham. The whole event was well organised, well structured and well thought through. Amongst the issues discussed were ward cleanliness, GP out of hour services, Dental services, and the geographical location of specialist hospital services. It was a thoughtful attempt at getting real public engagement in some of the difficult issues facing our modern National Health Service. What became very clear was how much the National Health Service is still valued and admired fifty years after its creation.
