Let’s have a public health service run by dedicated staff who don’t answer to outsiders

IN his letter on the health service (November 17), Dr Bill Tormey says arrogant managers should be put in their place and doctors should set the priorities.’

I don’t fully agree with this because, while “arrogant” types should be firmly dealt with, I know there are very good managers who care about patients as much as anyone else in the service, whether medical or non-medical.

Neither would I agree that doctors alone should set priorities — although they should have a major say. Those who should have no say in setting priorities are management people brought in from outside, especially from the worlds of industry, finance and non-medical academia whose prime function is to make cuts to save money.

I believe that patients and the public generally don’t want a US-style, profit-based healthcare system. The problem is that the neoliberals who actually decide such things want not alone healthcare but all public services privatised. Whatever else goes, the healthcare system must remain publicly owned and managed. It must be run on public service principles, not from a business manual. It would help if the Government stopped encouraging an alternative private health service and made it clear there will be one public health service.

While recognising that anyone could set up a private service if they wanted to, the Government would neither encourage nor support it (including tax breaks) and wouldn’t refer any public patients to it. Surely what the public needs and wants is a publicly-owned health service managed by those who believe it is an honourable thing to spend their working lives providing the best possible care for the sick and injured, and who expect a fair income, and no more, for doing so. And that’s not only doctors but all involved in the service permanently — and certainly not managers brought in with the prime function of balancing the books.

Brian Abbott

Glencairn

Bishopstown Road

Cork