Questions about state of the NHS (From Gazette Series)

Questions about state of the NHS

THE government's handling of the NHS was in public turmoil last week. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt was heckled ferociously at the annual nurses conference in Bournemouth as frontline health workers levelled their fury at the woman in charge.

Labour has been slammed from all sides for massive job cuts across the NHS and for trusts falling deeper into the red.

Aspiring political journalists Chloe Kemery and Hannah Gale ask Northavon MP and Liberal Democrat health spokesman Steve Webb whether this really been the best year ever for the NHS.

Question and answer-style interview:

Q: Has the criticism of Patricia Hewitt been justified?

A: "A lot of money has been spent on the health service so it is important to keep it in perspective. "What Patricia Hewitt said she said very badly she is completely out of touch by saying this is the best the NHS has ever been. I think it is fair point to be criticising what she was saying."

Q: What are the main problems the NHS is facing?

A: "I think what is happening in the NHS is a very rapid reform. There are lots and lots of changes happening at the same time and it is very difficult for hospitals and trusts to cope. "Trusts are being told to sort out their finances very quickly and the quickest way for them to do that is to sack people. They are under pressure to sort out long-term problems but need to be given time to adjust."

Q: Has this been the best year for the NHS?

A: "When I was elected in 1997 people would come and see me and say they had to wait two years just to be put on a waiting list. Clearly we have come a long way since then but morale is very poor in the NHS. "Staff are under pressure, under valued and uncertain about their futures. "The government has destroyed a lot of goodwill and the language ministers use does not help. "The government is doing more than ever before but it is very destabilising"

Q: Do you still receive complaints from people about the NHS?

A: "It is still very common for local people to come to me with complaints. "The most common complaints are about hygiene on the wards and nurses being too busy. I also hear from a lot of relatives of elderly people who have been on wards and are not given time or help to eat their meals. Often, food is taken away untouched because the elderly need help eating it."