Nicola Grant has reacted angrily to several surveys published over the past two weeks one by the Royal College of Physicians that found 89% of doctors surveyed were concerned about the impact of health inequalities on their patients. While 72% had seen patients recently with illnesses related to inadequate quality housing, air pollution, and the lack of access to transport. The survey also found that 46% of doctors said that at least half of their workload is related to illnesses linked to social factors.
Nicola continued, the results of the survey bear out what the Workers Party has been saying for decades that patients’ conditions are getting worse because of food insecurity, poor nutrition, lack of employment security or opportunities, plus financial hardship all of which contribute to long term health complications. It is frightening and shameful to hear that Victorian skin diseases are returning, such as scabies which are highly infectious and spread rapidly. Hypothermia is also on the rise because of fuel poverty.
Nicola continued by saying that while this survey was conducted in England the situation with Northern Ireland’s decades of health inequalities will be similar or even worse. When organisations like the Royal College of Physicians are calling on the government to act on poverty, political parties should listen and act urgently. Constantly reforming the health service without dealing with the root causes of health inequalities is pointless and wasteful. Joined up government action and a strong commitment to the founding principles of the National Health Service is required. Nye Bevan set up the National Health Service to treat those suffering from poverty, poor housing and all the other social factors that created health inequalities. “Free at the point of entry regardless of Class,” Creed, or Colour to all those in need. The need has never been greater than it is now, working class people are being driven further into poverty and ill health, it is time to put the health and wellbeing of our citizens first, the only war we should be waging is a war on poverty and all its root causes.
Another survey of Ambulance staff by the health union Unison found that ambulance crews had reported patients had died in the ambulance because of hand over problems in overcrowded emergency departments because of the lack of beds. The survey also found that ambulance crews said they were delivering carpark care and corridor care, and it is undignified and traumatic for patients and crews.
Nicola Grant
CLANRYE NEWS 