Richard Meyer As I See It, Cost of healthcare in the U.S.

Here’s why England’s NHS is on the verge of collapse

The English healthcare system, also known as the National Health Service (NHS), faces several challenges that have led to concerns about its sustainability. Many will use their system as an excuse for why we can’t have a national health option, but there are lessons to be learned from their mistakes.

England’s system of health is at a breaking point. Here’s why;

  • Staff shortages: The NHS has struggled to recruit and retain staff for many years. This is due to several factors, including low pay, long hours, and a demanding workload. The staff shortage has led to increased workloads for those who remain, contributing to burnout and staff dissatisfaction.
  • Increased demand: The demand for NHS services is increasing, due to an aging population and rising rates of chronic disease. This is putting a strain on the system, as there are insufficient resources to meet the growing demand.
  • Reduced funding: The NHS has been underfunded for many years. This has led to cuts in services and staff, which has made it more difficult for the NHS to cope with the increasing demand.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant strain on the NHS. The pandemic has led to a surge in service demand and staff shortages due to illness and burnout.

These challenges have led to a number of problems in the NHS, including:

  • Long waiting times: Patients face longer waiting times for emergency and elective care. This is due to the increased demand and staff shortages.
  • Canceled appointments: Appointments are often canceled due to staff shortages and bed shortages.
  • Deteriorating patient care: The quality of patient care is declining due to the increased workload and staff shortages.
  • Increased risk of patient harm: The risk of patient harm is increasing due to the increased workload and staff shortages.

The NHS is facing several challenges that are putting it under strain. If these challenges are not addressed, the NHS could collapse. This would have a devastating impact on the health of the British people.

To address these challenges, the government must invest more in the NHS and address the underlying problems, such as staff shortages and low pay. The government also needs to work with the NHS to develop a long-term sustainability plan.

The U.S. should study other countries’ national health plans to determine their strengths and weaknesses. The biggest weakness of our healthcare is profits. An aging population that needs more healthcare means a lot of money going to insurers, PBMs, and pharma companies. As more prominent players acquire more hospitals, they, too, are looking to expand their profits to keep shareholders happy.

Will it change? Probably not. There is too much money flowing into the pockets of politicians, and right now, many people don’t believe the government could effectively and efficiently handle a national health plan.