UK Think Tank Chair Says Troubles Experienced With National Health Service Exaggerated
Faizan Hashmi Published December 12, 2019 | 11:00 PM
Nicholas Cobb, the chairman of the Westminster Forum, a non-profit think tank, told Sputnik on Thursday that the issues experienced with the National Health Service (NHS), which has long been struggling with funding cuts and increased pressure on hospitals, were exaggerated
The NHS is said to be experiencing a significant staffing crisis. The gap between staff needed and the number available in the UK health service could reach almost 250,000 by 2030. Brexit is also due to have a significant impact on staffing numbers, as nurses from European Union countries are quitting their duties in the NHS.
"The NHS is a lifeline for people. There will always be horror stories, there will always be issues, but it provides very good health access. Yes, it has its problems, but at one point it employed more people than the Red Army. There will always be individual incidents, but broadly it is a very good system that works in the interest of the public. It is oversubscribed, it does have issues, but it does a very good job for our people," Cobb said.
As for claims that Russia might be behind the leak of documents allegedly proving that the NHS was put up for sale in trade talks with the United States, Cobb said that Russia had become an easy target to be blamed for every mishap.
"I can say that it is easy for people to basically blame the third party for all of their ills and all of their problems and not really look at their own house. The reality, however, is probably just a fact that Russia was an easy target and it is easy to blame your ills on a third party and it has become lazy politics," the think tank chairman added.
In early December, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveiled a 451-page dossier, which was believed to have been posted on social media website Reddit in October by a Russian campaign. The leaked papers allegedly included plans to sell NHS under a trade deal with the US.
The Westminster Forum is a non-profit think tank promoting cultural, commercial and political relations between Russia and the United Kingdom.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From World
-
Nuggets push Lakers to brink as Embiid's 50 points lead Sixers over Knicks
7 minutes ago -
China high-tech capacity exposes overcapacity mantra in green energy
17 minutes ago -
Golf: PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans scores
27 minutes ago -
Cybersecurity firm Darktrace accepts $5 bn takeover
47 minutes ago -
Clean energy drives massive BHP takeover bid
1 hour ago -
Copper price tops $10,000 for first time in two years
2 hours ago
-
Ukraine agriculture minister held for alleged corruption
2 hours ago -
China calls Germany spy claims 'pure fabrication'
2 hours ago -
Singapore expects 1-3 pct growth this year
2 hours ago -
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Tech Index rises over 5 pct
2 hours ago -
New Zealand business sector R&D expenditure hits 2.21 bln USD
2 hours ago -
3 dead after mini car falls into west Japan paddy field
2 hours ago