Lionel Jesse wrote:When you say, "users get a poorer service" can you clarify what you mean and when compared to what?
Because the NHS as a healthcare provider is better today, than its probably ever been. The issues are not with the care it provides, but with its ability to provide that care consistently when needed.
I do actually agree with many of your points, though I suspect we differ about the cause and solutions to them.
Poorer as in fewer hospitals, fewer beds, long waits in large corporate friendly hospitals, local healthcare problem such as waits for appointments, out of hours service, local walk in centres gone, hours cut. (tv documentary on it Virgin care was covered)
People having to travel further, wait longer or not receive care at all. Underfunding is a big issue, as said, too many private parasites on the NHS budget and the usual government tomfoolery with statistics doesn't cover up the glaringly obvious. (especially to staff)
Private parasites cherry picking what's profitable, charging the NHS a fortune for it then having the NHS pick up the pieces when it goes wrong is not sustainable. The minute you add layers of profit between the funding and the patient, care has to suffer. All funding should go to running the NHS as a service. Until that happens, it will go the way of dentistry and eye care only with much bigger bills and even death if you're unfortunate.