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Coronavirus - how is it/has it affected you?

Hobbit said:
Just to pick up on funding, which is another very large argument in its own right. The NHS has received increases either side of inflation for as many years as you can count, or so it has often been sold to the public. However, 2 things on that score. Every advancement in medicine is a new (increased) cost over and above inflation.

Secondly, for many years the NHS has been targeted with a 6% C.I.P. (Cost Improvement Programme). Bizarrely, started under Labour but continued thereafter. Imagine a budget of £100,000. You receive a 4% increase, announced to the public, which makes it look like you've had an above inflationary rise - everyone cheers. But behind that you lose 6% of it to the CIP. In effect you've had a cut.

As I said, it probably needs a thread all of its own to discuss the detail of funding but no govt of either party has looked after the NHS.
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Thanks for that Brian, details of which I was unaware, however, I stand by my comments and opinions on waste, its huge, I see it daily with many large companies, and the NHS being no exception, and especially those companies that are [almost] unaccountable to what they spend on what at times, but just order it!!
 
JustOne said:
Brian..... what's the wife up to whilst you are tapping away on forum posts? Does she give you an hour... is she busy posting on her 'lady forum', something else?
I ask as mine is mostly glaring at me and there's a lot of eyerolling :LOL:
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You need to do a Brookside, start taking up the slabs on the patio with a grin on your face and a knowing glance over to them every now & then........
 
JamesR said:
No, just suggesting that generally every decision that every government makes should be questioned. No matter the time, situation or potential upset it may cause.
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No system of Government could ever function or make timely decisions. We have elections and then let the winners and opposition get on with it. Superficial questions from a few ignorant activists must be treated as the noise it is.
 
drdel said:
No system of Government could ever function or make timely decisions. We have elections and then let the winners and opposition get on with it. Superficial questions from a few ignorant activists must be treated as the noise it is.
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In a democracy everyone has the right to vote, and when not voting, the right to question.
As our servants the government, and all MPs, should answer said questions.
Those questions can be asked in various ways. By journalists, letter to your MP, Twitter, open letters in the press etc
No question is a bad question, & no answer is a bad answer.
 
Fish said:
Thanks for that Brian, details of which I was unaware, however, I stand by my comments and opinions on waste, its huge, I see it daily with many large companies, and the NHS being no exception, and especially those companies that are [almost] unaccountable to what they spend on what at times, but just order it!!
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I left the NHS because of bureaucracy and waste. To a large extent its far more professional than it was back then in many areas. Its certainly more commercially aware and a lot more careful with money. But a lot of the waste stems from the pace of getting things done and the sheer numbers of desks things have go over to get signed off.
 
drdel said:
No system of Government could ever function or make timely decisions. We have elections and then let the winners and opposition get on with it. Superficial questions from a few ignorant activists must be treated as the noise it is.
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In times of national crisis there should be a desire to pull together, to help and get the job done.
If the natural instinct is to criticise and " hold to account" , then before that is done it has to be asked if it is necessary at that time to help the critical situation. If it isn't, then work hard with those calling the shots to help them and your Country.
The game of party politics should be put on hold.
 
Hobbit said:
Going too far?

Police in Fuengirola have taken it to another level today. If you're caught outside today doing anything other than what is currently allowed; arrested and taken off to the cells. 14 detained from one road block alone. Quote from the Police today, "if you're out and about you won't be eating your Easter lunch at home."
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We did the Easter egg hunt in doors to overcome this issue ?! Advise though hiding eggs in the airing cupboard is not so wise.
 
SocketRocket said:
Did that get proven? Anyhow it's a silly throw away comment.
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Was not disproven as the evidence was available from a few sources... just because the virus is about we should not forget to deal with the bad behaviour. If we don’t, we will lose all law and order, you know as well as I do it’s the thin end of the wedge.
 
Hobbit said:
I left the NHS because of bureaucracy and waste. To a large extent its far more professional than it was back then in many areas. Its certainly more commercially aware and a lot more careful with money. But a lot of the waste stems from the pace of getting things done and the sheer numbers of desks things have go over to get signed off.
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I agree. I undertook several projects for NHS trusts. Few Surgeons and departmental heads would collaborate and instead insisted on doing their own thing. This arrogance and empire building just ate money, increased administration that in turn added more administrators which consumed yet more cash from the front line. More magement level so more salary bands and vastely overpaid Exec. Boards. A route and branch overhaul needed.
 
Swinglowandslow said:
In times of national crisis there should be a desire to pull together, to help and get the job done.
If the natural instinct is to criticise and " hold to account" , then before that is done it has to be asked if it is necessary at that time to help the critical situation. If it isn't, then work hard with those calling the shots to help them and your Country.
The game of party politics should be put on hold.
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So if say we’re at war, and some people disagree with how the current PM is running things, they shouldn’t move to change and bring in a new leadership?
They should just sit back and say that, because he is in charge in a time of crisis he should be allowed to do whatever he wants, without question!
 
JamesR said:
So if say we’re at war, and some people disagree with how the current PM is running things, they shouldn’t move to change and bring in a new leadership?
They should just sit back and say that, because he is in charge in a time of crisis he should be allowed to do whatever he wants, without question!
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Its only a few months since he won a large majority.
 
Well, felt ok this morning but then went downhill again, like lead weights on my eyes, throat killing me and a dry cough still irritating me.
Work doctor phoned at half past 1, to check in with me, they want to get me tested now, on Wednesday.....
Anyone know if virus could be cleared from my system by then, I actually feel it’s too late and they are now covering themselves or they want me back to work if it’s positive and I’m basically good to go once feeling better.
Another 4 in quarantine on the rig as well, they are getting off today.
 
harpo_72 said:
Was not disproven as the evidence was available from a few sources... just because the virus is about we should not forget to deal with the bad behaviour. If we don’t, we will lose all law and order, you know as well as I do it’s the thin end of the wedge.
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There is a time for everything and now is not the time.
 
BrianM said:
Well, felt ok this morning but then went downhill again, like lead weights on my eyes, throat killing me and a dry cough still irritating me.
Work doctor phoned at half past 1, to check in with me, they want to get me tested now, on Wednesday.....
Anyone know if virus could be cleared from my system by then, I actually feel it’s too late and they are now covering themselves or they want me back to work if it’s positive and I’m basically good to go once feeling better.
Another 4 in quarantine on the rig as well, they are getting off today.
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By the sounds of things recovery has been so varied your question can't be answered.
Best of luck with your recovery.
 
JamesR said:
The point being that in the past we’ve had leaders questioned, replaced and the man taking over classed as our greatest hero my many.

At no time is a leadership beyond question and reproach.
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I think Starmer struck the right balance with what he said this morning. The questioning has to be constructive. We often see petty, stupid points scoring, especially at PMQ's. That sort of thing is totally unhelpful.
 
JamesR said:
So if say we’re at war, and some people disagree with how the current PM is running things, they shouldn’t move to change and bring in a new leadership?
They should just sit back and say that, because he is in charge in a time of crisis he should be allowed to do whatever he wants, without question!
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That's just hypothetical, what many get sick and tired of are the arm chair protagonists who in times like this have nothing better to do than nit pick at everything the government are doing. Don't you see that many people are scared witless by what's going on at the moment and all the political whinging is making them worse. Let's pull together for now and see how things can be improved afterwards
 
Hobbit said:
I think Starmer struck the right balance with what he said this morning. The questioning has to be constructive. We often see petty, stupid points scoring, especially at PMQ's. That sort of thing is totally unhelpful.
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Exactly right.

Sensible, relevant questions; when and why restrictions are lifted?, what should and shouldn’t police be doing? Etc

Not questions about past comments or actions.

But we certainly shouldn’t have people sitting back and accepting what’s going on. They should be shouting up now, not waiting until after the event. You can’t improve a situation after the fact. But you can minimise a bad outcome during.
 
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