In Britain, and particularly in England, A&E waiting times are getting longer. The number of people waiting more than twenty-four hours was close to zero in 2010. This year it is over forty-three thousand people.
General waiting lists have soared from about 2.4 million in 2010 to 7.5 million today.
Urgent referrals for cancer treatment were consistently above target from 2009 to 2017. Then they started to fall, and miss the targets. Today, nearly a quarter of URGENT cancer referrals fail to get an appointment within two weeks.
The health of the nation is declining, with more cases of heart disease, respiratory complaints, and mental stress – completely separate from Covid – have gone through the roof.
Nurses earn 20% less on average than the average private sector (excluding financial services) worker.
Investment in healthcare is wise spending because it improves the productive capacity of the nation. Paying nurses properly is sensible because it means they are less likely to go off sick and create labour shortages. The long-term decline in real terms health spending is both socially irresponsible and economically stupid.
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