The NHS Postcode lottery business

Fat Bhoy Tim · 09-03-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anu:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Fat Bhoy Tim:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Anu:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Big Geordie:
I'm sure those who are suffering would be willing to take an experimental drug, rather than have to wait (and probably not get because they may die) any treatment until it's verified by the powers that be.

Come on BG, the NHS doesn't have infinite resources - it can only afford so much. It's potentially a case of either an experimental drug for one, or a proven cheaper drug for many </BLOCKQUOTE>

Be very surprised why it wouldn't be both. As expensive trialled medications are usually brought into wide circulation if they prove their effectiveness. </BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't follow the wording of your point tbh.. you don't see why you wouldn't be able to get both sets of drugs (from my example)? </BLOCKQUOTE>

Not get both, but both be in circulation. One product to treat the majority of patients, whilst a new product is being trialled amongst a select group of patients vs a control group.

Anu · 09-03-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fat Bhoy Tim:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Anu:

Unless I'm not read this right... trials don't work just by giving the drug to people and seeing what happens - actual studies need to be done - and that's more than just giving someone a drug and watching the effect

Well done. You understand what 'clinical trial' means. </BLOCKQUOTE>
So what's point, because from that post looked very much like u didn't

Fat Bhoy Tim · 09-03-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anu:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Fat Bhoy Tim:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Anu:

Unless I'm not read this right... trials don't work just by giving the drug to people and seeing what happens - actual studies need to be done - and that's more than just giving someone a drug and watching the effect

Well done. You understand what 'clinical trial' means. </BLOCKQUOTE>
So what's point, because from that post looked very much like u didn't </BLOCKQUOTE>

The word trialled was your clue, you missed it.

Anu · 09-03-2007, 08:26 PM

bah forget it as much as I'm after an argument today I'm not even sure you know what point you're trying to make

Anu · 09-03-2007, 08:27 PM

I'm so wound up I lost the ability to use commas

Big Geordie · 09-03-2007, 08:42 PM

If the NHS was better ran and didn't waste such much money then treatment would be available for everyone, regardless of postcode - you would think.

msteuk · 09-03-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Geordie:
If the NHS was better ran and didn't waste such much money then treatment would be available for everyone, regardless of postcode - you would think.

Perhaps the NHS could save money by stopping all prescriptions for expensive supposed wonder drugs, whose benefits are highly debatable, and which mainly serve to falsely raise the hopes of desperate people due to ignorant tabloid hype?

Fat Bhoy Tim · 09-03-2007, 08:50 PM

The cost of the medications isn't really an issue. The capacity the NHS can provide for each type of treatment is dependent on the qualified staff. You can take millions away from something and throw it at something else, but it won't change their ability to provide care outside of the logistics of it.

BGs got a point. When they did that documentary recently about trying to shake up the NHS, they found ORs in some trusts working a 4 day week, and fairly short hours at that. Some of that was due to shortage of staff, and some of it was due to sheer laziness.

Paul Bacon · 09-03-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by msteuk:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Big Geordie:
If the NHS was better ran and didn't waste such much money then treatment would be available for everyone, regardless of postcode - you would think.

Perhaps the NHS could save money by stopping all prescriptions for expensive supposed wonder drugs, whose benefits are highly debatable, and which mainly serve to falsely raise the hopes of desperate people due to ignorant tabloid hype? </BLOCKQUOTE>

Even the bog standard common drugs cost a fortune

Anu · 09-03-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Posted 03 September 2007 19:50 The cost of the medications isn't really an issue. The capacity the NHS can provide for each type of treatment is dependent on the qualified staff. You can take millions away from something and throw it at something else, but it won't change their ability to provide care outside of the logistics of it.

BGs got a point. When they did that documentary recently about trying to shake up the NHS, they found ORs in some trusts working a 4 day week, and fairly short hours at that. Some of that was due to shortage of staff, and some of it was due to sheer laziness.

Quote:

Posted 03 September 2007 19:50 The cost of the medications isn't really an issue. The capacity the NHS can provide for each type of treatment is dependent on the qualified staff. You can take millions away from something and throw it at something else, but it won't change their ability to provide care outside of the logistics of it.

BGs got a point. When they did that documentary recently about trying to shake up the NHS, they found ORs in some trusts working a 4 day week, and fairly short hours at that. Some of that was due to shortage of staff, and some of it was due to sheer laziness.

I'll come back tomorrow with this if anyone can still be bothered, but right now, at least in this case, I doubt it's manpower that is the issue and more to do with the drug itself. The £3k is often inclusive of the staff cost as well

Either way he'll be getting regular check ups especially if his disease is at this stage

It's hard to discuss without the details of it, really

The NHS Postcode lottery business

Grab a beer, sit back and relax.

The NHS Postcode lottery business