Why doesn't the UK build more hospitals

OP

I really do wonder what planet some people live on.

If by magic we could find the fully trained and qualified staff to service new hospitals, it begs the question what happens after everything is brought under control and the hospitals operate at a fraction of capacity but with a full staff?

The answer is horrible productivity, rampant inefficiency, overpaid medics and complacency. Welcome to nationalised industry.

Thats why you hire Temporary.

Reply 21

username4986690

19

Original post by the redmandeer

yes you are correct however I have another point for you, excel London, nightingale hospitals all built for this purpose. We have had a year to prepare for this. We could have built a huge incentive for foreign doctors to come and work in the UK.

Nightingale London has 15 patients because they don't have enough staff.

Foreign doctors are busy with their local issues.

Reply 22

uberteknik

21

Original post by the redmandeer

Thats why you hire Temporary.

That's why we have Nightingale temporary hospitals. But wait, where are the qualified and trained temporary staff let alone fully competent practitioners to service the temp capacity?

Oh. SMH

Reply 23

the redmandeer

OP

15

Original post by uberteknik

That's why we have Nightingale temporary hospitals. But wait, where are the qualified and trained temporary staff let alone fully competent practitioners to service the temp capacity?

Oh. SMH

anyone could be bought at the right price. Instead of chucking millions away on stupid policies, start investing in doctors

Reply 24

Wōden

15

Original post by the redmandeer

if china could do one in a week, the uk could do one in a year

furthermore even building it may not be as important, there are many places in the uk where buildings have been abandoned, these could easily be rebuilt as hospitals.

I think a lot of you guys underestimate the UK, the UK has the money to do almost anything.

China has a near endless supply of cheap/borderline slave labour, dubious adherence to building regulations and safety standards, scant regard for environmental concerns, little respect for property rights (it's pretty common for entire neighbourhoods to be evicted and bulldozed on a whim for some new state project). Yes you can get a lot done when you don't care who or what you trample over in the process, but thats not the way we do things here.

I agree with your sentiment though, we certainly do need to drastically improve our health service, build better facilities and train more of our own doctors and nurses, not just poach them from other countries. We can't allow this slash and burn/scorched earth policy of lockdown to become the go-to solution whenever a new pandemic rears it's head.

Reply 25

Napp

22

No money to build hospitals or to train the staff - we have a gross shortage of staff as it is which is going to get much worse now we've effectively banned most of the nurses and other ancillary staff from europe.

Reply 26

the redmandeer

OP

15

Original post by Napp

No money to build hospitals or to train the staff - we have a gross shortage of staff as it is which is going to get much worse now we've effectively banned most of the nurses and other ancillary staff from europe.

with money, the government was willing to spend 450mn on 500£ per postive test, MONEY IS not an issue

Reply 27

Napp

22

Original post by the redmandeer

with money, the government was willing to spend 450mn on 500£ per postive test, MONEY IS not an issue

It has always been the issue... the current explosive borrowing has been used as a reaction to unfolding events (whether it was wasted is another matter) the money for long term instrastructure isnt exactly just lying around.
Either way, they havent even brought their current hospitals up to speck. Whats the point in building more (even if they had the money) when the current ones arent fit for purpose? Or when theres no one to work in them..

Reply 28

lilymoran

16

Original post by the redmandeer

with money, the government was willing to spend 450mn on 500£ per postive test, MONEY IS not an issue

Exactly. But political will is.

The NHS was founded in 1948 (against Tory and Doctors' opposition and UK having huge debt to US after WW2). Because the Labour Party and especially Aneurin Bevin, was determined to solve the problem of medical care not being available to the poor.

We allow the Conservative / Lib Dem Coalition Government etc to continue to privatise the NHS at our peril. This Government is prepared to sell off anything to their friends to make money. They don't, philosophically, believe in public provision - the Welfare State, pensions, sick pay, medical care, education, jobs etc. They believe that people should be made responsible for their own futures. " It does no one any favours taking responsibility from them - they should make their own provision etc etc." Easy to say when your parents paid £30k + pa at Eton for your education (BJ), or you inherited £3million at 21.

Tough if like most people you don't have the money to provide yourself. We all are supported financially by paying people in essential work very low wages, but the Tories have the nerve to look down on them and say it's their own fault if they earn poor money. The scandal of having to wait at least 5 weeks for Universal Credit must be stopped.

Reply 29

Quady

20

Original post by uberteknik

I really do wonder what planet some people live on.

If by magic we could find the fully trained and qualified staff to service new hospitals, it begs the question what happens after everything is brought under control and the hospitals operate at a fraction of capacity but with a full staff?

The answer is horrible productivity, rampant inefficiency, overpaid medics and complacency. Welcome to nationalised industry.

Sack the staff and bulldoze the hospitals.

Reply 30

Pythian

21

Original post by WithYouAliens

British people don't tend to focus on financial incentives as their main life goal, otherwise everyone would have immigrated to the US by now. The problem is that these jobs are highly stressful with poor work-life balance (who is going to do the night shift?).

Very true. According to a recent HoC Health report, 44% leave the profession due to working conditions. Only 14% leave due to pay issues!
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmhealth/353/353.pdf

Reply 31

Quady

20

Original post by Pythian

Very true. According to a recent HoC Health report, 44% leave the profession due to working conditions. Only 14% leave due to pay issues!
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmhealth/353/353.pdf

Dunno why they weren't included in the pay freeze this year then tbh