We should do better with our health

For a long time it has been evident even when arriving at the car park driving past the ominously long line of ambulances and 10 mins or more looking for a space. We are now warned by Chris Tidman that people could die on trolleys.

Surely more evocative of a warzone than a modern hospital in 21st century Britain.

The controversial resignation of several A and E Consultants from the same Trust and that legal action has been initiated by the Care Qaulity Commission must concern us all.

It surely raises questions about the management's ability to avoid or handle crisis and the impact of the fallout from the closure of the walk in centre.

The bedspace lost by the closure of the Infirmary in Castle Street and Ronkswood was never answered by the new hospital just as the closure of Powick Hospital was not effectively serviced by alternative mental health inpatient space at Newtown where over time wards have actually closed making the situation even worse still.

The seeds of crisis were sown way back then. But as for the NHS future so topical in the election debate it really is bleaker than we think.

Our population was a mere 47 million in 1945 compared with 64 million now and the range of treatments and the expected lifespan of citizens assures ever increasing demands.

Sadly however as a nation we are not looking after ourselves enough. Far too many hospital admissions relate to alcohol and smoking and as a nation not enough exercise is taken and too much reliance on unhealthy food.

It is to some extent a national 'ill health ' service. For the NHS to survive it requires not only sufficient funds and good management but a nation led by a government with physical and mental well being as a properly recognised priority.

Worthy not only because it is economically pragmatic but because quality of life really matters.

This is supposedly a civilised modern democracy and we should do better with the most important thing of all.... our health

Andrew Brown

WORCESTER