It studied between 2012 and 2019. So before COVID hit.

It's not just a correlation either, it was the poorest areas that were disproportionately affected, with rising death rates among vulnerable populations.

I am not opposed to change or restructuring in itself. However, what does seem to be happening is that the pace of changes does not allow for so much unpredictability and uncertainty in life. The NHS in England had been restructured and was making so many changes before the pandemic. After Covid hit, so much was hit by cost. That is the main reason why the NHS is in crisis. So much is intended to save money, especially job cuts. Also, without being negative it is hard to know what will happen with the plan for the government to have more direct control over decision making.

In addition, so much change, in the NHS and other organisations is focused around technology being introduced. The people involved in such organisations are being trained in technology and policy. What may be lacking is the value of human individuality in this. In particular, communication skills and listening may be lacking in such processes, especially as staff are so busy on machines and computers.

But they haven't said anything about requiring co-payment from patients. That's a good thing.

There has been no talk of co-payment but what is starting to happen is in the form of inequalities, whether intentional or not.

In particular, many GPs require everything to be done on-line and requiring certain apps. Not everyone can access such resources or use them, especially the most vulnerable groups, meaning that they are in danger of being marginalised, or even excluded.

Also, GP appointments can be grabbed by the most healthy and denied to those who are most unwell. That is the likely reason why so many people are presenting at A and E departments. This will need to be addressed for effective change, as opposed to random community visits, which may ignore many less visible people.

As I see it, so much is being rushed through by the government. Such haste may be extremely disastrous and costly, leading to potential collapse of the NHS.

In particular, many GPs require everything to be done on-line and requiring certain apps. Not everyone can access such resources or use them, especially the most vulnerable groups, meaning that they are in danger of being marginalised, or even excluded. — Jack Cummins

I'm guessing they make exceptions for people who can't do digital. You could probably just call them and tell them.

As I see it, so much is being rushed through by the government. Such haste may be extremely disastrous and costly, leading to potential collapse of the NHS. — Jack Cummins

I think they'll be ok. Probably just need a progressive property tax on the rich to pay for it. Small revolution maybe.

How much allowance is made for people who can't do digital is so variable in public organisations. For example, I have heard of people who have been cut off from the benefits system as a result of losing a phone.

You seem extremely optimistic about any political agenda. I do not wish to be completely negative but see so much as being questionable. I see the need for people to be heard and fear that democracy is decreasing.

I am aware that you are writing from the USA. The versions we hear of news in both countries is likely to be filtered differently. This may be especially true at the present time where tensions between world leaders are extremely fraught. The relationship between Trump and Starmer is critical in this, especially with negotiations about Ukraine/Russia and Trump's tariffs.

I see what happens next as being fairly complex and may depend on who is involved or left out in the dialogues. It is with this intention that I wrote the thread, although it is likely that discussion here is of minimal significance in the power structures of political discourse.

I am writing this thread as there is a crisis in the Welfare State and NHS currently. I am sure that this goes back a long way. The Labour government of Starmer (and Rachel Reeves) are trying to find solutions, with a radical overhaul. However, so many people are so extremely disappointed because the solutions seem to target vulnerable growth, especially the elderly, disabled and people with mental health problems. Actually, from budgets and proposed policy it is questionable who will benefit, if anyone. — Jack Cummins

I think we need to begin with a reality check. What resources does each nation have and how many people need those resources? We live on a finite planet as though nothing were finite. If populations were suddenly cut in half, those who remained would be valuable. Property owners would slash their rents in competition for renters. The housing market could also be flooded with would-be homeowners, and the cost of housing would crash.

I am forever thinking of the gold rush and how overnight there were booming gold and silver towns. When the mines were depleted, all property value fell as people left town, the bank was closed and businesses moved away. All that is left is ghost towns. Could that be prevented? How does a nation without capital build an industrial base? In reality, how do economies work? Should Iceland become a dependent part of the Great USA? Without the mineral resources of Iceland, would it be important for the USA to rule over Iceland? How do economies work?

A lot of what is happening in Britain, and other parts of the world is about resources. There is some difference between the monetary figures of economics and how it translates into material resources. But, a large part of the problem is the way of life which Western civilisation has come to expect is unsustainable.

It is not simply about politicians trying to deprive people but about tough decisions in thinking about the future. The cost of the welfare state and NHS is tremendous but people are reliant upon it. So, what can be done is a conundrum. How to manage it fairly is difficult, especially in an age in which digital technology plays such a role. The basic needs of people for food, housing and essentials may get missed and it is likely that there is so much wastage of resources. There is a need for resources to be shared and it is likely that a need to go beyond capitalism and socialism needs to occur to address the nitty gritty economic realities which lie ahead.