Andrew Bamji
Recent activity
Comments (4)
-
Comment on: Clinical improvements could save NHS £9bn a year
The management of pressure sores and malnutrition is not exactly cheap; it requires proper expenditure on edible food and a significant expansion of nursing numbers both to feed the patients and make sure they are turned, inspected and washed. So any savings on length of stay may eaten up - not least as if beds are emptied other things will soon fill them up...
-
Comment on: Poor dementia care 'costs NHS millions'
One of the main reasons for dementia patients overstaying their hospital welcome is a shortage of suitable placements. Another is the dreadful bureaucracy required to achieve one. The main blame for both lies with social services, but until the plughole is unblocked the sink will continue to fill. And while reductions in hospital stay may save money for the NHS, a fair proportion of it will be consumed by the additional community care resources required.
-
Comment on: DH eyes patient cap for new tariff rules
People talk of PCT demand management as if they can stop people being ill. In fact some PCTs have already tried to stop paying for patients seen over some arbitrary limit. Acute trusts may face a serious crisis not least if ISTCs and others on fixed number contracts have work directed to them to ensure money is not "lost" by underperformance, as happens currently. The effects on training will be incalculable. The trouble is - we have said this all before!
-
Comment on: PFI plan could keep debts off NHS trusts' balance sheets
Keeping PFI off the balance sheet is simply fraudulent. We have seen the efforts to which government has gone to allow unaffordable borrowing with Northern Rock and the stamp duty holiday for cheap homes; I fail to understand why it is so essential to cover up what is exactly the same - borrowing at an interest rate above base rate that is tied in for unacceptable terms of 30-35 years. it is tiem to get honest; however, with the parallel issue reported today of potential bail-outs for bust trusts this sets an appalling example for debtors - never mind the debt - we will make it easier for you all to borrow more than you can afford. From an economic perspective this is madness!
