The NHS crisis

Recently, it is frequently reported that National Health Service (NHS) in the UK is in a crisis.

International Business Times: NHS Crisis: Doctors and nurses are 'leaving on their knees'

According to the article above, there is a serious shortage of medical staffs and rooms for acute patients. In some areas, patients have to wait 12 hours until they get consulted to a physician at the A&E (Accident and Emergency).

In general, 12 hours delay of treatment can be critical for patients with a serious injury. To begin with, nobody can be patients for half of the day waiting for any reasons.

Also, some elective surgeries and outpatient appointments were canceled due to lack of the adequate number of staffs. This winter, many people get influenza, which raises demand for emergent care.

The authority dare not to accept the deficiency of the NHS resource, according to the media. Indeed, NHS is approved as one of the most sophisticated systems of regional medical care. However, the current situation seems to be far more distant from residents' satisfaction. One survey suggests three fourth of citizens consider NHS is getting worse.

International Business Times: We are all to blame for the slow painful death of the NHS

The seed of this issue is originated from the initial policy of ruling Conservative Party. Austerity has been burdening the NHS management for several years. It has led to reduced staffs and decreased beds. In recent years, some physicians participate in a strike repeatedly. There is a similar situation in prison.

Of course, Tory has its opinion. In 2012, Democratic Party gorgeously advertised NHS at the opening ceremony of the London Olympic. But it resulted in a serious fiscal crisis. Tory would claim it had to compensate it.

Anyway, medical service in the UK faces a tough challenge. I guess that Brexit is also influential on this issue.