pay rise. The “Call me Dave” comment about MPs wives not letting them refuse the
pay rise was one of the highlights but there were many other acts of childishness
from our MPs.
Over the last week I have seen Parliament sink to an even lower level.
The situation in the NHS generally is a cause for concern. The situation in the 11
Hospitals that are being highlighted for gross incompetence and the death of far
too many people who perhaps should still be alive is a cause for urgent and
significant concern.
In the house I watched a Health Secretary and a shadow Health Secretary jumping
up and down, pointing fingers’ and screeching “He did it, no you did it, no it’s your
fault, no it happened when you were in charge”. All that was missing was the stamping
feet and the tantrum. The screaming and shouting coming from each health secretary’s
“Gang” hardly helped. It was like a pack of kids standing round a playground scrap
chanting “Fight, fight, fight”.
Thousands of people have died under appalling conditions or been left to suffer
because the level of medical support they were provided was grossly inadequate.
The reaction of our Parliament has been utterly childish. Scoring points, smearing
the other side, shouting, pointing fingers and blaming everyone in sight except
themselves. Families across the country are mourning loved ones and our so called
leaders are using it as an excuse for the basest and most childish of playground
behaviour.
When we have major UK hospitals acting like third world barber surgeons then it is
plain to see we have a problem.
What is needed is a clear, grown up look at the problem.
What is needed is for the whole NHS sacred cow image to be consigned to the history
books and for a 21st century approach to be taken.
What is needed is to pull away the magic curtain of untouchability that shields the
NHS from honest scrutiny.
But most of all what is needed is some sombre, intelligent grownups to look at the
problem. Can we please have some sent to Parliament at the first opportunity.