Keir Starmer and his allies are failing the NHS, argues Robert Fisk, a cancer patient who has experienced the system's shortcomings firsthand. In an opinion piece, Fisk outlines five steps Labour must take urgently to prevent the health service from collapsing.
Three Years of Cancer Treatment Reveal NHS Failings
Fisk recalls wearing a hospital gown and being asked by medical staff to rate his pain on a scale of one to ten, highlighting the impersonal nature of care. He notes that three years after his incurable bowel cancer diagnosis, with an estimated 11% chance of surviving five years, he has observed systemic issues.
1. Focus on Patient Care, Not Just Healthcare
Fisk argues that while the NHS excels at healthcare, it neglects patient care. Staff often forget that treatment should involve listening to patients, not just interpreting test results. He praises his GPs, Dr Perren and Dr Tavares, for their compassionate approach.
2. Streamline Administration
He criticises the proliferation of non-medical staff in suits who add little value. Reducing these roles could fund pay rises for nurses and doctors.
3. End Reliance on Physician Assistants
Fisk condemns the Labour government's use of less-skilled physician assistants in roles that should be filled by doctors.
4. Act on Complaints Quickly
He demands that hospitals respond to complaints promptly, rather than leaving patients waiting over 30 months for answers.
5. Treat Patients as People
Medical staff must be supported to treat patients with empathy, not as mere objects for tests.
Fisk concludes that without these changes, the NHS will flatline sooner than expected.
