Letters – Problems caused by reduced NHS funding

A letter and a news item in your issue of May 3 relate to the proposed closure of the children’s ward at Pilgrim Hospital.

Mr Hayes declares that he will oppose any closure.

But it is Mr Hayes’s party that has precipitated such problems by reducing NHS funding.

The long-term average annual increase in funding since its foundation had been three to four per cent, which allowed for population growth, the ageing population, and the availability of new techniques and medicines.

Since 2010, the average annual increase has been reduced to one per cent.

After eight years, that is telling its own story.

From a well staffed service in 2010, the service is now short of thousands of nurses and doctors.(A similar story applies to the police force, which is no longer resourced well enough to cope with public law and order problems.)

Whilst the financial crisis of a decade ago certainly had its effects, it is not a complete explanation.

The root of the problem is the political Conservatives’ abiding touchstone for public services and the public estate: i.e., “be cheap”.

In fact, to judge from observation of the results, the guideline principles for Conservative administrations, are: muddle along, be cheap, and remember – shoddy is good enough.

Being cheap is not the same thing as being efficient, which does look for reduced cost, but only whilst maintaining the quality of the output.

Being cheap, expressed as “low tax”, is an easy selling point at election time. The consequences are never spelt out.

The UK is one of the lower taxed countries in Europe (taking account of all forms of payment for public services).

It shows. The shabbiness of our public estate and public services, puts us in a low position amongst the leading nations of Europe.

But this is not just a matter for the politicians.

We need to face the fact that if we wish to show pride and have good services, they will have to be paid for.

Tax is not some sort of punishment: it is what pays for public services and estate.

A proud country would accept that, and a proud politician would take a leadership role towards that end.

Do we really contemplate our shabbiness without feeling any need to do better?

John Tippler

Pinchbeck Road
Spalding