JesterMinutes

Welcome to the Court of Jesters.

From time to time we will release our very private Minutes of what is going on with our rivals.

For you must BEWARE the CARNIVAL OF CLOWNS and the CIRCUS OF FOOLS who everyday distract us with their jolly japes and deceptions.

We shall identify their tricks, buffoonery and tom-foolery, so DON’T LET YOURSELF BE FOOLED.

They will cheat you of what is rightfully yours as soon as look at you.

-----------------------------------

As through this world I've wandered
I've seen lots of funny men;
Some will rob you with a six-gun,
And some with a fountain pen.

Woody Guthrie

Jesterminutes 2 highlights NHS and Health Care along with

Regular Features and New Contributions (June 2014)

Jolly Troughing Weather/Whose nose is it anyway? – the Jesters monitor the Westminster gravy train
Through the Looking Glass – Alice helps us to understand the Westminster world where, as Humpty Dumpty explains “ (everything) means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less"
Julian Brays – ‘The pronouncements, philosophies and battle cries’ of Julian Brazier MP for Canterbury
Celebrity Book at Bedtime – Ministers prepare the next generation of voters
The Interment of NHS – a reworking of the classics as tribute to Mike Gove’s thumbs down to American Literature and thumbs up to Shakespeare
Great Minds Think in 140 Characters – Great Tweets from the past
You Do the Maths (including Poverty/Inequality Watch – Jester few numbers to crunch on
Jester Poet/Poetic Jester
The End is Nye - Past heroes – past wisdoms ‘ gone but never forgotten’
The End is Nigh, Nye - Killing off 65 years of NHS
NHS on a ‘cliff-edge’
The founding of an NHS in 1948 is recognised as a crowning achievement for that small but determined group of reformers, who had struggled for a more inclusive, egalitarian and compassionate society. More than any other institution it is emblematic of a caring, inclusive, humanitarian society. For successive generations it has provided a touchstone of who we are and how we wish to live together. At the 2012 London Olympics, we chose to show-case the NHS in order that the world would understand our culture and our values.

When it was launched by the then Minister of Health, Aneurin Bevan, on July 5 1948, it was based on three core principles:

·         that it meet the needs of everyone

·         that it be free at the point of delivery

·         that it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay

Ask Healthcare practitioners and they will tell you that these three principles have guided the development of the NHS over more than 60 years and remain at its core today. They will also say that the NHS is under threat as never before from a Government, which is driven and doctrinaire in its determination to create a healthcare market and privatise provision of healthcare services.

Unsafe in Tory Hands

Once the Health Service was established, no Tory, whether in government or opposition, has dared openly to challenge the NHS. Whilst Tory rhetoric was supportive of a NHS, the truth is that with the exception of a few ‘One Nation’ Tories there has never been any real enthusiasm for a universal system of healthcare. It is easy to forget that in 1946 the Tories opposed the NHS lock stock, and barrel on the basis that it would undermine the freedom and independence of the medical profession – a bellwether of Tory future Health policy where they have always put private interest ahead of public good. During the intervening 65 years the Conservatives’ appetite for a universal healthcare system has been meagre while their appetite for the marketing of public services has steadily increased and is now gargantuan.

Healthcare market – a flawed concept

The Tories constantly repeat the mantra that the ‘NHS is safe in our hands’. It is a promise that looks increasingly empty as the current Government forges recklessly ahead with privatisation... The USA healthcare system stands as a stark warning to us that privatisation works for the rich but is disastrous for the poor. Here are 6 reasons why the notion of a market in health is generally flawed, and for those at the sharp end ‘fatally’ flawed:
- Ethics –It is just plain wrong for the rich to make money out of individual illness or injury; markets produce both winners and losers – ‘Losers’ , unable to access services they need can end up paying with their lives
- Profit – Healthcare companies will always privilege shareholder returns over Service Users’ needs
- Cherry Picking – the Private Sector has no interest in parts of the market that cannot guarantee return on investment. Large areas of healthcare provision will be unattractive to companies and the risk of those areas of medicine being neglected is high
- Instability/unpredictability – Healthcare providers will move out when profits drop putting services at risk. e.g. the withdrawal of NHS Direct from 111 Telephone Advice Service
- Unaccountability – In practice it is difficult and costly for the State to put in place structures and regulatory processes which are effective in guaranteeing standards and quality in provision
- Hidden Costs – there are significant costs to maintaining an internal market e.g.
- Growing Health Inequalities - 22% of people in Bradford report not being able to make an appointment with GP whereas figure in Bath and North East Somerset was 5%
- The fact that “patients in hospitals located in competitive markets (are) more likely to die after an admission following a heart attack"
- The fact that only 40% of Trusts are confident of financial balance in 2014/15 and only 16% believe it possible to balance the books in 2015/16
- The need for more money for transformational change and short-term support
- That the implementation of the Better Care Fund will throw the NHS into financial crisis in 2015/16
Dr. Mark Porter at the British Medical Association in June 2014 expressed the view that “a combination of rising patient demand, staff shortages and falling funding is undermining the very foundations of the NHS.”

Locally, Dr. Martin Garsed, specialist in palliative care in Canterbury, has gone on record as saying

“Hospitals are in freefall. Primary care is disjointed. The Out-of-Hours service is bordering on incompetence.”

Earlier this month a Canterbury GP expressed the view that the ‘NHS is being readied for privatization through neglect’.

On the eve of the 1997 election, Tony Blair famously told voters they had 24 hours to save the NHS. 2014 is not the time to copy Blairite histrionics but it is the time for action. Act now and vote the Tories out or we will be left with an NHS, which we hardly recognise. As Dr. McCoy from Star Trek might have said,

“Yes, Jim (Kirk) it is the NHS; but not as we know it.”

Sing-a long with the Bullenden Boys – (Whose nose is in the trough?)

To the tune of the Eton Boating Song

The Cameroon leads the way:

Jolly Troughing weather

Jolly Financial wheeze

Fly like a feather

And apply the jolly squeeze

All in this together

Your future on your knees

All in this together

Your future's down on your knees

Boris picks up the melody:

Cronies - why pay your taxes?

Just keep the loot off-shore

Jersey, Cayman, Bermuda

Avoidance’s not breaking the law

(Cos’ we’re) all in this together

Our future’s the Antilles

All in this together

Your future’s down on your knees

Jezza joins the medley:

Health Care’s ripe for snouting

Contracts drawn, ready to go

It’s all over bar the shouting

Shaft quietly, and no-one will know

All in this together

There’s money in replacement knees

All in this together

We do what we fcuking please

Through The Looking Glass

“Chancer George said something of interest...” started Alice

“Interest! Invest! There’s a killing to be made!” exclaimed the White Rabbit, scattering his tea cup and saucer and grabbing his plump money bag. “I’m late; I’m late for a very important date. No time to say hello, goodbye...” and off he scurried.

“I wonder what’s got into him?” Alice thought aloud.

“He’s off to see the Pfizzer at the new Wongaland Health Market’ said the Hatter, who always liked to be in the know.

“ The Pfizzer? That’s who Little Chancer George was speaking about.” Mused Alice

“Rabbit has gone to ‘invest his savings with the ‘Pfizzer, “explained the Hatter. “ The Pfizzer’s other name is ‘The Greedy Apothecary’ – Apothecary because he makes and sells medicines; and Greedy because he enjoys ‘selling’ more than he enjoys ‘making’. The Rabbit knows that if he gives the Pfizzer has pennies he will turn them into pounds.”

“The Pfizzer is very clever,” imparted the Hatter admiringly. “He finds potions, which everybody loves and he just keeps on making and selling them.”

“Do the potions make people better?” asked Alice.

“That is a silly and irrelevant question, “ replied the Hatter dismissively. “ The potions make people happy; happy people buy more potions. That is how the Pfizzer has become the richest man in Wongaland.

Take The March Hare the Pfizzer sold him a potion named Ivagra; the Hare did not need it as medicine but it made him ...well...more March Hare like – if you know what I mean..”

Alice looked confused.

“Well more ‘frisky’, “said the Hatter blushing. “ Now the Hare can’t get enough of the stuff.”

“So it’s not whether the potion makes you better that is important to the Pfizzer; it’s the fact that people keep buying it that counts?”

“Mmmh...” agreed the Hatter. “The Pfizzer travels the world trying to snatch other people’s potions too.”

“ Curiouser and curiouser,” Alice murmured to herself. “ So that’s why Little George was so excited and kept talking of how the Pfizzer would help him to fill his chest with money. But he said he was worried that people might not like the Pfizzer because the Pfizzer would not spend money on R & D.”

“Oh that’s rubbish,” said the Hatter pompously. “ The Pfizzer loves R &D; in fact I’d go as far as to say the Pfizzer is R &D; yes, Ruthless & Devious that’s the Pfizzer to a Tee...which reminds me “ he said rattling his cup and saucer, “ It’s time for another brew!”.

Footnote: In 2011 Pfizer closed the last remaining part of its Sandwich plant making 2,400 people redundant in R&D. In previous years up to 15,000 people, including contractors were in employment because of Pfizer.

Julian Brays – the Wisdom of Julian Brazier MP

The two faces of Jules have been there for all to see in the sorry saga of the proposed closure of the Pilgrims’ Hospice in Canterbury

May 9^th we saw Jousting Jules as he prepared to take on all-comers to protect the Hospice:

“Pilgrims Hospice is a charity...I have made it clear that I am available to help in any possible way that can lead to keeping the in-bed facility in Canterbury. I shall be pursuing the funding issue with the NHS...”

By June 2^nd Jousting Jules had become Jellyfish Jules as he reverted to his more familiar spine-less ‘modus operandi’:

At a public meeting where the Chair of Trustees re-iterated the plan for closure, promising only to enter partnerships with local NHS and care homes (to provide beds for the terminally ill), Jules in a characteristically robust show of weakness proclaimed

“The main thing is we have had a pledge to keep hospice care beds in Canterbury”

Jesterminutes wonders whether Jules’ back tracking on closure has anything to do with a conversation between Captain Brazzer and Tory High Command overheard by our local reporter (always ready with the finger) Ruud Jesture

THC “Bad show this thing about the Hospice, Brazier.”

JB “Absolutely, sir, it’s a disgrace that a valued and much needed resource is being withdrawn through lack of funding”

THC “Don’t talk rubbish man! It’s you that’s the disgrace - going ‘native’ and undermining our chap-on-the-Trustees... We expect more from a seasoned foot-soldier like you; it’s simply not good enough. For 25 years we have been able to rely on you trooping blindly into the lobbies to do your duty – and now this. Get back on the frontline and redeem yourself, Captain Brazier, and there’s an end to it.”

JB “ Yessir....Rightaway, sir.”

Whatever the backstory to Julian’s back down, the Hospice and the people of Canterbury deserve better than this from their MP.

Celebrity Book at Bedtime – Ministers prepare the next generation of voters

This month ‘Jezza’ Hunt is down there with the Kids...

Rupert Bear in ‘It’s Broken!’ *

(Are we talking Bill Badger’s leg or the NHS? – Ed.)

Rupert and Bill always have fun

‘Chase me Rupert’; says Bill; he then starts to run.
Can’t catch me’ to Rupert he calls
Bill trips on a root and over he falls

Bill’s broken his leg; it’s so very sore

‘You’ll need ‘A & E ‘of that Rupert is sure.

The pals hobble along down long country lanes

They meet PC Growler who cheerfully explains:

The nearest A & E is miles away.

Keep Hobbling along -You’ll be there next day!

Our old A & E its performance was bad

To keep it open longer would simply be mad.

SERCO’s new A & E is better by far-

accessible by chauffer, taxi, limo or car.

Says Rupert, ‘We’re penniless, and we have no car.

Bill’s leg is quite broken; he cannot walk far.’

‘Tough luck on you chaps that’s all I can say!’

Growler turns on his heel and marches away.

‘Or maybe,’ says Growler ‘you can fix it yourself.

No money, no doctor; it’s the New National Health...’

Sleep well children...it’s Jezza story!   The Hon. Jeremy Richard Streynsham Hunt MP

*A special thank you to Mary Tourtel without whom Rupert would not have been possible


Great Minds Think in 140 characters

davidhume@weescotsthinker1711 SMH#UKIP heights of popularity n’patriotism are still the beaten road to power n’ tyranny

@candidepang-loss 1759 must give up optimism #Itsa mania 4 saying things are well when UR in hell. HTP@weescotshinker

The Interment of NHS –after Mark Antony’s speech at Julius Caesar’s interment – (with thanks to Wm Shakespeare)

Friends, Citizens and Countrymen show me your fears. I come to bury the NHS not to praise him. Poor performance is shouted from the rooftops by cunning men; the good is buried in confusing statistics; so let it be with NHS. The ‘Honourable’ Jezzicus Huntus has told you that NHS is too costly; if so it is a grievous fault and grievously has NHS answered for it.

Yet let us talk of NHS. He was always there when we needed him; he comforted us in our darkest hours as we fought our pain and anxiety. Yet Huntus said NHS was bloated and inefficient; and Huntus is an ‘Honourable’ man; so are they all - Cameroonius, Cleggula, Lanslianus- ‘Honourable’ men.

Huntus says that NHS is too ambitious. NHS hath brought hope to countless homes and people; he has ambitiously fought disease and ill-health; turning to oppose the enemy when he opened up new fronts to annilhate us. Does this in NHS seem ambitious? When the poor have cried, NHS hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Huntus says NHS was ambitious and Huntus is a Right Honourable man.

You all did love NHS one, not without cause: What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? Bear with me. My heart is in the coffin there with NHS and I must pause…

Millepeedius approaches the corpse of NHS. He points to NHS’s wounds.

If you have tears prepare to shed them now. Look in this place ran Lanslianus’ dagger through. See what a rent the envious Osbornia made. Through this the ‘Honourable’ Huntus stabbed, casting aside the weapon as he watched NHS life leach away so no trace of the deed might lead to him. This is where Cameroonus pushed and twisted his rapier – that same Cameroonius who posted pictures of himself in the forum with the legend ‘We cannot go on like this I will (employ my rapier) on spending not on NHS’. This was the most, unkindest cut of all.

Then great NHS fell. Oh! What a fall was there my countrymen? Then I and you and all of us fell down.

You do the maths
- £30,000,000,000 –the cost to Britain of Iraq and Afghanistan wars
Had this money been invested in NHS
- £ 120,000,000,000 paid to Circle Health care to take over Hinchingbrooke Hospital
- 70% of contracts for clinical services went to private companies in last 6 months of 2013
- £ 1,400,000+ donated by Circle Health Care shareholders to Tory party
- £44,000.000 – profit Balfour Beatty made on building and running Univ. College London Hospital
- 1% - across the board pay rise denied to front-line health professionals by Health Secretary Hunt
- 100 GP Practices threatened with closure as a result of planned funding cuts
- 12,600 – the number of District Nurses in 2003
6,700 –the number to which District Nurse numbers had plummeted by 2013
- 2009/10 - 70 GPS per100,000 people
2013/14 – 66.5 GPs per 100,000 people
- 3250 GPs a year promised by 2016, intake this year 2,564 down from 2,764 last year
- 700,000 patients in England could lose their GP ,if Government re-allocation of funding goes ahead
- 55% to 71% in 2010, voter satisfaction with the NHS rise under Labour
- 58% level of satisfaction in 2011 – it has recovered little since
- 25%+ NHS Trusts are running a budget deficit
- 16% - of Trusts believe it is possible to balance the books in 2015-16 - – financial crisis that will damage patients is ‘inevitable’
- 8% of GDP spent on Health in2009
6% of GDP planned expenditure in 2021 > equivalent to 2003 spending level

And Away from the NHS...Poverty/Inequality watch
- 500,000+ families with incomes less than £20,000 are targeted for re-coup of over-paid tax credits by professional debt collectors ( over-payment through HMRC error)
- 1,000,000+ homes lie empty; homes built lowest since 1920
- 1 in 5 who approach Citizen’s Advice with debt troubles as a result of inability to pay council tax
- 20,000,000 meals given to people across Britain; a rise of 54%
- 5 families have same wealth as the poorest 20% of the population
- 3,500,000 projected figure for children in poverty by 2020
- Poetic Jester - a Haiku
  
  Milk of kindness gone
  
  Hospitals are just cash cows
  
  Compassion turn’d sour
  
  Breaking News
  
  Archives held in NHS Mother and Baby unit near Windsor reveal that in October 1966, 2 almost identical babies were mistakenly given to the wrong parents
  
  Corporal Pike The Hon. David Cameron
  
  The mistake has now been rectified - Corporal Pike is now running the country and David Cameron is starring in a new series of Dad’s Army. When asked about his new challenge David replied
  
  ‘I just see is as a logical progression from my old job – After all, I have been playing it for laughs since 2010, haven’t I? ’
  
  The End is Nye
  
  Nye Bevan wrote: “Illness is neither an indulgence, for which people have to pay, nor an offence, for which they should be penalised, but a misfortune, the cost, of which should be shared by the community.”
  
  “No society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means. Society becomes more wholesome, serene and spiritually healthier if it knows that its citizens have at the back of their consciousness the knowledge that not only themselves but all their fellows have access when ill to the best that medical skill can provide. “(In Place of Fear)
  
  www.jesterminutes@blogspot.co.uk
  
  June 2014

JesterMinutes

Friday, 27 June 2014

No comments:

Post a Comment

Blog Archive

About Me