August 26th 2024.
It's no secret that many British people are becoming increasingly frustrated with the long wait times at A&E. In fact, a recent poll revealed that a significant number of individuals are taking matters into their own hands by treating their own injuries and even self-medicating. This is a clear indication of the current state of the NHS, which is struggling to meet the targets set by the government across the UK.
In Wales, for example, more than 20% of patients in specialist areas have been waiting for over a year to receive treatment. This alarming statistic, along with the new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, sheds light on the extreme lengths that individuals are going to in order to avoid the lengthy waiting times. According to the poll, 25% of adults in the UK have made the decision to not go to A&E in the past two years due to the long wait times. Shockingly, almost 20% of these individuals admitted to actively ignoring the advice of their GP or NHS 111 services, who had recommended that they seek treatment at a hospital.
Some of the methods people are resorting to in order to self-treat their injuries are quite concerning. For instance, 10% of those surveyed said they had used homemade slings for their arms, while 31% had taken care of their own wounds and 32% had self-prescribed medication. These statistics highlight the dire situation that the previous Conservative government has left the NHS in.
Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy leader, expressed her concern over the current state of the NHS, stating that no one should have to ignore medical advice and take matters into their own hands. She emphasized the need for the new government to take immediate action to prevent a winter A&E waiting times crisis. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also acknowledged the need for drastic measures to fix the NHS.
It's worth noting that while the NHS in England has been under Conservative governments for the past 14 years, other parts of the UK run by different parties are also struggling to meet targets. A spokesman for the Conservative Party defended their record, stating that they have significantly increased NHS funding and recruited a record number of doctors and nurses. On the other hand, the Welsh NHS has faced funding cuts under the Labour-run government, resulting in record-high waiting lists and low ambulance response times.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the issue, stating that they inherited a broken NHS and that it is unacceptable for people to wait longer than necessary for care. They have made it their mission to improve the health service and make it fit for the future. In fact, they have ordered a full independent investigation to fully understand the extent of the problem. Additionally, they have plans to tackle the biggest issues facing the NHS by increasing the number of appointments and fixing primary care services. This includes hiring more GPs and providing extra funding.
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