Results of Lib Dem Survey in Truro and Falmouth Constituency
Terrye Teverson's NHS survey campaign has received a massive response from the local community. The survey was sent out in Truro and Falmouth earlier this year.
Terrye said, "I am pleased with the response we have had. Some of the comments have been very moving. One 80 year old pensioner wanted to know why he gets a free TV licence but can't get his teeth fixed on the NHS".
"623 NHS surveys have been analysed by the Truro and Falmouth constituency to date. This produced an interesting picture of what our community considers important, and gave suggestions for improvements to the service."
The returned surveys show almost 90% of people asking for a 're-localization' of management decisions in the NHS. People overwhelmingly would like to see changes in the NHS with much more local control by either local health boards or local health professionals. This figure clearly shows that the centralized Labour-Whitehall NHS system is failing to understand people's local needs on the health issues.
Proof of this is a figure that shows almost 60% of people in Truro and Falmouth constituency experienced problems in trying to get dental treatment with local NHS dentists, with most of them ending up having to go to a private dentist and pay more.
An overview of the research showed 72% considered they were 'not satisfied' or 'not satisfied at all' with the way the Government is handling the NHS, just 28% of people feel 'fairly' or 'very satisfied'.
Along with the surveys Terrye received lots of letters telling touching and often angry personal experiences people had in dealing with health problems and had to rely on the NHS system which can still fortunately count on the devotion of its staff.
These are some of the comments sent in with the surveys.
"My son has no dentist and cannot get one on the NHS. Been on S. list 4 years".
"Following my own experiences and the way dentists have held the country to ransom, I feel that many of the problems in the NHS are caused by individual groups of doctors backed by the feeling of threats of leaving the NHS. In both hospitals [I have been] both nurses and doctors were excellent…"
"My father worked and paid taxes all his working life [….] until he was admitted to the hospital he washed and dressed himself each day and took regular small walks. Tragically, because of the current system, his last 3 months were spent in lonely isolation in dirty conditions and neglect. […] I thought if you knew just a little of what T. hospital is like maybe, just maybe, you might be able to improve things in the future for someone else's elderly relative".
Commenting on the results from the survey to date Terrye said, "The NHS is one of the most important institutions in this country. People clearly want to have a say. That's why people are so angry about the proposed move of cancer services to Derriford. Cornwall wants its own centre of excellence for patients and staff".
"Surveys are still going out in different areas of the constituency. Forms are being returned to our office daily and slowly the picture of our community's perception of the NHS is becoming clearer. A dedicated band, who care about local NHS provision, have worked hard in our office collating all this information. I would like to thank all the people who sent in their comments and responses".
Terrye continued, "As soon as more people reply to the NHS survey the data will be updated and made public on our website. I want people to have a transparent and updated idea of what is going on in the health system locally, draw their own conclusions and help us to understand the needs of a such an important service".
Mrs Teverson is continuing her campaign for better delivery of services in the NHS in Cornwall and will be focusing on the latest proposal to move upper GI cancer services to Derriford.
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Related Links
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