The NHS at 72 - Oldham doctor asks for more respect from decision-makers and the public

Its staff have been praised throughout the pandemic for risking their lives to treat others.

But a leading Oldham health campaigner now wants the public and decision-makers to acknowledge that the NHS is also a proficient, professional, organisation receptive to rapid change and a cut above any private healthcare provider.

Speaking on the eve of the NHS’ 72nd birthday (Sunday, July 5) Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE, a local GP and founder of the Homeless-Friendly health charity, says the health service response to the Coronavirus has been “swift and decisive in saving lives.”  

In fact, Dr Chauhan argues that had the rest of society been so diligent, COVID-19 deaths could have been further reduced and the lives of health workers preserved.

“Even when you enter a surgery now, it is unrecognisable with its cordoned off seating, closed reception windows and GPs dressed in PPE,” said Dr Chauhan.

"And from telephone appointments, to crisis Zoom or Teams meetings, we have embraced technology.

"With such confusion around COVID-19 treatment, symptoms, and infection control, we have almost had to adapt the way we work every single day.

"In contrast, some members of the public won’t social distance, wear masks or use hand gel and spread scurrilous rumours about the virus.

"Government, meanwhile, talks triumphantly about reductions in deaths and puts wealth over health by lifting lockdown too swiftly.”

Dr Chauhan argues that every barrier placed in their way by the virus has been negotiated successfully by the NHS.

He puts this down to individual ingenuity and compassion.

During the length of COVID-19, Dr Chauhan and his colleagues have:

* Introduced a risk register for BAME staff to ensure they are protected on the front-line

* Run a fundraising campaign to buy COVID-19 protection kits for homeless people in every single region of Greater Manchester and,

* Helped pioneer a strategy for certifying deaths to help take pressure off family doctors

Other surgeries have ensured that everything from face-to-face baby clinics to consultations with terminally ill patients has continued.

Some surgeries have even kept their Patient Participation Groups running regularly, online.

Dr Chauhan expressed some concern that a lack of real face time with patients could mean the early symptoms of diseases are missed and he did worry that mental health patients were not receiving proper counselling or were feeling guilty about bothering doctors at this busy time.

“Believe it or not, there are one or two positives which have come out of this awful pandemic,” added Dr Chauhan.

“Patients who used to present themselves at surgeries and even worse A&E units with little wrong with them, have been dissuaded from coming in.

"The virus has also made us think a lot more about our health and how better diets, less alcohol and cutting out the smoking could help.

"But most of all it has brought a new respect for our NHS, 72-years-old and still sprightly, flexible, and loved by the British public.

"When it comes to investment in health services and indeed pay and conditions for its staff, that is something the Government would be wise to recognise and keep our NHS working for another 72 years and beyond.”

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