But there are too many examples for comfort of people being let down. The question that inevitably arises is whether these failings, some of them with tragic consequences for those concerned, are the result of local deficiencies or the result of some more widespread systemic failure which needs to be tackled at national level.
This week an independent think tank produced a report which demonstrates that although individual performance will always vary and will always play an important part in individual outcomes there are problems at national level which badly need tackling.
Foremost among these is the sheer waste of taxpayers money - put by the report at the staggering sum of £25 billion every year. As the recent increases in the annual budget of the NHS come to an end, this is obviously a matter of great concern. Our local hospital trust has recently faced some painful decisions as a result of cuts in the funding made available to it. This makes it all the more essential that the money that is spent on healthcare is well spent.
For this to be achieved real reform is necessary – not change – driven by the need to reduce deficits but change driven by a genuine desire to improve patient care and ensure that every penny of our taxes that is spent on the NHS gives us real value for money.
That would be a real achievement for any government. Is it too much to hope that we may see progress towards it in 2007?
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