Connah’s Quay county councillor, Bill Crease, was recently admitted to the hospital with chest pains. He had a pleural effusion – excess fluid built up in the pleural space, the thin area between the lungs and chest wall, which caused his left lung to collapse.
“The treatment I received was effective, timely, supportive and compassionate,” he said.
“The entire system from cleaners, porters, healthcare assistants, nursing staff, x-ray and scanner technicians, registrars and consultants operated in a way which belies the constant criticism being levied against them.
“It wasn’t just me, the seven other men on my ward – every one received an amazing care. The service and those who are charged with delivering care is simply unrivalled when it is called upon.”
Cllr Crease said it brought into focus how important the NHS is – and to protect it from privatisation.
“Our health service and those delivering it is something we should all be proud and supportive of,” he said. “The staff at Wrexham Maelor and those delivering care in support of patients need to be commended on their skill, knowledge and compassion.
“It is important that we are supportive of this service going forward lest the profit motivated investors, venture capitalists and pension fund managers seize on a service which makes obscene profits, in the US model, for all involved in the delivery of healthcare.
“Undoubtedly there are areas which require review and change. However, in my recent experiences of the service then it’s primary function, free healthcare to all at point of delivery, is being achieved at a consistently high quality level.”
Cllr Crease said that “adverse publicity”, and “cries for further privatisation” is being “driven by those who wish to monetise the entire process”, thereby enriching the insurance corporations and their shareholders.
“Mimicking the catastrophic system seen in the US whereby tens of thousands of individuals and families end up bankrupted each year is not something we should ever contemplate,” he said.
Cllr Crease spent around four weeks in hospital – returning home just before Christmas. He said having researched what the cost of his care would be in the US, various sources estimate it to be between $140,000 – $200,000.
“Estimates of the actual costs to the NHS of my treatment range from £11,500 – £14,000,” he said. “All delivered free at point of delivery without me or my family having to worry about how is this going to be paid for?
“This should be the touchstone for the next 75 years of our NHS, not some money making obscenity servicing shareholders, fund managers and institutional investors.”