Gordon Brown's - NHS Constitution Nightmare.

Is there a word that instils greater feelings of dread amongst public sector workers than "reform?" That's what Gordon Brown is planning for the NHS this year with his new NHS Constitution (or is it a treaty? - It seems he can't tell the difference between the two). Anyone who is involved with the NHS must be thinking "bloody hell (or possibly something more profane), here we go again." Why can't politicians just leave things alone? They are just like bloody Admirals. When you have just got near to getting to grips with the last set of pointless changes, some idiot from the "good ideas club" comes along and changes everything again just to prove they are doing something to earn their wages.

Dr Michael Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance, said:

"A constitution is not as big an issue as it once was." We've had the NHS Plan and there are some fairly radical reforms going through, like practice-based Commissioning, and getting the implementation of these things right is the absolute priority." To the average member of the public and patients and, frankly, doctor or nurse it doesn't mean much. It's just another big idea from on high."

Why the hell do we need a NHS Constitution to tell us what to expect from the NHS? If we are ill we go to our GP. If our GP can't help, he refers us to a specialist or sends us for tests. What we do know is that we expect to be made well again at the end of the process and that any problems can be discussed with our GP and he will chase them up. This Constitution seems to me to be a measure that will look good, rather than be of any practical use to the public. A bit like a diamond encrusted snooze button on a smoke alarm.

Daily Referendum results - Our Children in Need (more so in England)

Unbelievably, Hospices in England only receive an average of less than 5 per cent of their funding from the government.

The situation in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is different. In Scotland for example, the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland last year received 18.5% of its income from statutory sources and is working towards its target of 25%.
This support is still well below what is required, but why aren't English Hospices receiving the same kind of funding?

Q. Should this most valuable service be fully funded by the Government?

YES 76%

NO 24%

DO NOT KNOW 0%

For more information on Children's Hospices please click HERE.

Peter Brighouse has submitted the following E-Petition to No10:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to organise government support and finance for the children's hospices.

To sign up to this E-Petition please click HERE.

The results of each Daily Referendum are archived by the British Library.

E-Petition UPDATE: Our Children in Need (More so in England)

Across the UK there are 38 Children's Hospices with five more planned. These facilities provide a caring and comforting atmosphere for terminally ill children and their families.

Unbelievably, Hospices in England only receive an average of less than 5 per cent of their funding from the government.

The situation in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is different. In Scotland for example, the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland last year received 18.5% of its income from statutory sources and is working towards its target of 25%.

This support is still well below what is required, but why aren't English Hospices receiving the same kind of funding?

For more information on Children's Hospices please click HERE.

Peter Brighouse has submitted the following E-Petition to No10:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to organise government support and finance for the children's hospices.

To sign up to this E-Petition please click HERE.

Q. Should this most valuable service be fully funded by the Government?

To view the results go to:

http://dailyreferendum.co.uk/