A bowl of NHS stew

Are the planned reforms in the National Health Service a blessing or are they domed to fail? Or to state is more bluntly, is the government stupid or stout? The reforms should lead to saving billions of pounds; at least that is the plan. Health professionals and several political figures, however, have opposed to the proposals made by the government. Policy in health service is directed to market-based reorganizations for over two decades, but the current proposals even stun medical leaders as it would abolish Primary Care Trusts and redirect funds to GPs, although many doctors lack the expertise to control budgets. How is that to save money?

Personal comment:

In every western country health care costs are skyrocketing, because of the ageing populations and increasingly expensive treatments. In almost all western countries the answers are sought in market-oriented solutions. Governments are promising that the public will pay reasonable premiums, but the money raised through these premiums are not, by far, enough to cover the costs. I believe other discussions are to be held, but that might be very difficult. I believe that we should think again about what we expect of our medical service. Should every illness be cured? Should every medical problem be solved? Or are we going to accept that people sometimes die because of an injury or that a medical problem cannot be solved?  

http://www.economist.com/node/18529977 

Healing Art

Negative feelings and destructive behaviour expressed through art as part of art psychotherapy can help offenders to understand themselves better, according to Imke Wood. Psychotherapy is a known method to understand dangerous minds and art therapy is a successful method to air repressed or destructive emotions. Psychiatrists, academics, and police officers are discussing this new combined method during the 20^th annual conference of the International Association for Forensic Psychotherapy. The aim is to discuss how this controversial therapy can help murderers and how to help them, not as much as how to punish them, but to help them, and others, to heal and to prevent other violent crimes.

Personal comment:

I am convinced that many crimes are the result of a troubled and difficult life, because the offender is scared early in life. To prevent serious crimes you need to get to the source. Help families who are experiencing difficulties raising their children. Make sure that child service is effective. Give children a good education, possibilities, and chances. I believe that is more effective that an art psychotherapy later in life. Art therapy can soothe a violent mind and make life in prison a bit more liveable, but I doubt if it is effective in the long run.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/art-therapy-for-offenders-helps-them-to-heal-2274077.html

Is it about quality or safety?

Blog 2  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13115226

“Best-before” and “use-by” labels are familiar terms for British shoppers, but do they understand the difference or is more food thrown out because of mixing up these labels? According to the Food Standard Agency the “best-before” label tells about quality, where as “use-by” labels are applied to food that perish quickly. Consuming products after “use-by” dates may put health at risk. The FSA states that even after “best-before” dates food is still safe, providing that it is stored correctly, but might lose flavour. Now the government is thinking about simplifying food labelling. Will this end unnecessary binning of food?

Personal comment:                                                                                                                                   For starters, today’s food is packed with labels, so simplifying is no luxury. And a better distinction between ‘still safe, but maybe less tasty’ and ‘do not eat after’ is a good thing. I am not very strict about such dates and labels. If a product can be kept for three months, then a few weeks past the date can not hurt you. I can see how confusing these labels can lead to a waste of good food. Labels are mostly an indication when to use it, but using your nose, mouth, and common sense also helps to determine if products are off or stale. I think one should not rely on labels only.

having a child with hereditary disease, yes or no?

Blog 1 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12987504

Is it fair to bring a child into this world with a hereditary disability?

Jono is afflicted with Treacher Collins Syndrome, causing a deformed face, as his facial bones are not developed as they should, and a hearing problem. As a baby he was given up for adoption because his parents could not cope. He is operated many times and as a child he was bullied a lot.

The couple has a 50 per cent chance of having a baby with this hereditary disease.

The abnormal gene causing this disability is known and the couple is considering IVF with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, which means that the embryos are tested before implanting an unaffected one in the womb. This procedure is very controversial and Jono and his girlfriend are facing a huge dilemma, because if his parents had chosen to do this, he would not be alive.

Personal comment:

Risking to be seen as a monster, I believe that Jono should use the special IVF procedure. Bringing a child into this world, knowing it will face painful operations is very egocentric. Jono has first hand experiences; he should know better. The techniques are there, so use them. Especially because you can not predict how severe the disability will be. Disabilities are not a bad thing, but if there is a way to prevent them, I believe we should use those possibilities. I think it is cruel to willingly risk having a baby who you know will suffer a lot before he or she has a chance to live a life without pain and suffering.