Never mind TTIP we have a bigger problem right on our doorstep.
The NHS has turned up trumps once again on a Bank Holiday and who was there Junior Doctors.
The 111 service was brilliant and the GP who eventually spoke to me, sent all the details to the A&E at our local hospital, so when my 86 year old cousin arrrived - no waiting although it was not as busy as usual.
Upshot is my Cousin has now been prescribed the tablets that the eye hopsital gave her in late March and Cream. We have to watch out in case any redness develops in the eye ball and if so, back to A&E pronto.
Now, this is why the Junior Doctors are fighting.
No pharmacy open at the hospital for outpatients (it is only staffed for in patients on Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays). So that meant a trip to Sainsbury's for the items or any other company that operates a seven day week service.
If the Junior Doctors cannot make this government see sense and leave it as is, till they can get all the auxiliary services operating 7 seven days 24 hours.
The result is that by spreading them more thinly - over the 7 days.
During the 5 days when all the axuiliary services are open. They will not be able to do as many elective operations as now - ergo longer waiting times for surgery.
They cannot do elective surgery at weekends, no ancillary available.
Yes, we need a 24 hour service, I worked for well over 25 years as a GPO telephonist, yes it was a 24 hour service, 365 days of the year.
It was a 48 hour week, a rota system, but it worked. Miners worked 50 weeks of the year - 24 hour days - shift work. (2 weeks closed down and pit ponies brought to the seurface). Loads of other people worked 7 day weeks, 365 years of the day, policemen, fireman et al.
Times have changed and for the better, but without the correct number of trained personnel available, it just cannot be done.
Privatisation is not the answer - that just means those who can afford it will be well looked after, those who can't will go to the wall.
I am an ancient brit, but can remember my Mother telling me what happened before the introduction of the NHS. 6d per week for the GP.
This did not cover the hospital. When Mam had my brother she was in hospital for 3 months. The cost was 1 shilling per week - the Matron gave my Mam all those shillings back when she was discharged as my Baby brother was quite ill and needed more medicine. That Matron was a compassiontate person. My Brother is now 76 and has a grandson.
We do live in a better world, but we have to hang on to the NHS somehow.
I know some people (no not pensioners ) but young people with families who cannot afford the prescription charges. I despair.
Rant over - sorry but I just had to let fly.
Dont' worry about TTIP whether we are in or out of Europe we will be privatised if we don't do something about it.
Mind we stand a better chance of keeping it, by staying in.