Page 10 - Phonebox Magazine May 2016

Readers’ Letters NHS in Crisis
In June 2010 a report by the Commonwealth Institute assessing the quality, ef ciency, access, equity and healthy lives in different systems in seven industrialised countries was published. It rated our NHS very highly in quality and access to care and was rated rst for ef ciency. Public satisfaction with the service stood at an all-time high.
Almost six years later the Service is in crisis. Only 6.8% of GDP is currently being spent on the NHS. No advanced country can provide universal healthcare on that funding. Our European neighbours spend much more. The Service has been underfunded for the past 6 years. Funding has increased by 0.9 % a year. Health in ation, however is 3 to 4% per year. That is what is needed to stand still. Historically administrative costs in our NHS have been low; round about 6 to 7%. Since the introduction of competitive commissioning these costs have more than doubled. Some GPS now spend almost all their time writing up bids for contracts. This is money that would be better spent on treating patients.
How did this come about? The reason is the Lansley Health Bill. During the 2010 election campaign the Conservatives promised there would be no signi cant reorganisation. They promised to defend the NHS from cuts in its budget. The Coalition Agreement said the same thing. Within weeks the Coalition Government was boasting of the most radical shake up since 1948. It was so big it could be seen from outer space. Every health professional body opposed the Bill. So how did it become law? The simple answer is – the Liberal Democrats. Without their full hearted support the Bill would have fallen. Why did they do it? Why did they become part of the most Right Wing government since the Chamberlain administration in the 1930s.
The only explanation is that it was a symptom of the corruption that comes from the scent of power. Or was it the corrupting in uence of long term impotence.
Historians will wrestle with the mystery of how Shirley Williams came to defend the Bill at the crucial moment. Here was a rare breed of politician. Respected, even admired by all. She had an exemplary record of public service which was destroyed by an incomprehensible decision that has had such malign consequences for the most loved institution in the land and most importantly its patients.
The Liberal Democrats are presently asking for support in the May elections. Voters should consider carefully their record when given power. They should look at what they are capable of.
Steve Mitchell
Sandra Grummitt
Dear Ron, Through the Phonebox, could I pass on my thanks to all the people who have wished me well and said kind things to me following my retirement from Olney Town Council.
It was a rewarding to work with the folks of Olney for the 20 years. No one day was the same, I hope I did at least please some of the people some of the time. It was a privilege to be at heart of the community with people who cared for their town. Long may the passion to look after Olney remain with the community. All the best to everyone and will see you around.
Sandra Grummitt
10 Phonebox Magazine | May 2016
The Police and other matters
Dear Ron Hall, I’ve just browsed through your April 2016 edition while enjoying morning coffee. David Pibworth’s article entitled ‘The Police and other Matters’ caught my eye. It seemed to me that Mr Pibworth’s observations could be given greater exposure than they have so far.
He wrote: ‘The policeman had a thankless task, as it’s not his fault their budget is in tatters’. I tend to agree. It isn’t the fault of the ordinary policeman, but whose fault is it?
The short answer: blame the pollies. Politicians make the laws, politicians create the budgets, politicians determine the boundaries within which the police and others have to work ... and we, the voting public, consent to the process every time we vote. Not voting isn’t an option. That merely passes the power of consent to those who do vote.
The challenge for the ordinary voter is to identify the ‘party people’ amongst prospective candidates and NOT vote for them. Each political party exists to ensure its own continuation. Not many are guilty of trying to improve the lot of the people who voted.
So, if we are concerned about the state of our police service or any other service in the public domain, we should vote for someone who cares about that more than he/she cares about party policies. Unfortunately, there aren’t many prospective candidates like that.
(MD)
Milton Keynes Philatelic Society
Dear Ron, Thank you for including my stamp fair in the March Phonebox. Yesterday was a cracking day. We are beginning to get some regulars coming now, and once again signed up a few more new members. One actually said he’d seen it in your magazine. I was in the kitchen and the washing up was piled high at one point, which is another judge of how busy it was. It’s also quite noticeable that people are staying longer too as once again it was 3.30pm before it started quietening, much better than a couple of years back!
Well next is our Stamp Fair and Valuation Day, on September 10th, which I really hope will be the hectic day it was last September! Equally though I’m worried in case that was a one off and everyone has turned out their lofts of inherited collections. It is a very good opportunity for anyone who has something they think is worth a fortune to be checked out, or if they have items/collections for sale. To get Stanley Gibbons to look at items usually would cost them not only the train fare to London or the courier costs, but also I know they make a charge for the service ... so to come to a local hall, for free advice is a great offer ... and for lots a cheque was written out then and there to purchase their items.
Luckily I know the guy at Stanley Gibbons, and as his wife has been a member of the stamp club since she was a teenager, he is pleased to do this for us at no charge. Rather lovely that he did the washing up for me yesterday don’t you think? Equally his in-laws were there (both well in their 80s) and once very active committee members too.
I’m hoping some editorial nearer the time to promote the Valuation Day? We need to get people to make appointments for their Valuations so we don’t have a game of musical chairs down the middle of the hall with so many people who just turn up without appointments. I will provide more details of this nearer the time. I’ve set up an email account for people to contact us by and then a member of the stamp club can call them back to con rm atime.IfIputmynumberinmyhubbywillbewellfedupwithmeashe works from home all the time!
Best wishes, Karen Goodger, Milton Keynes Philatelic Society