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Barnet health director slams the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ NHS

A director of public health in North London has launched a blistering assault on the ‘two-tier’ national health system.

Dr Stephen Farrow, director of public health in Barnet, says in his annual report, which has been endorsed by Barnet Health Authority: ‘It is difficult not to conclude that it is now a particularly bad time to become ill or grow old.’

He points to growing inequality in the NHS. Although he accepts that fundholding has allowed some GPs to unleash ‘entrepreneurial enthusiasm’, he says the system of allocating funds has resulted in more of the needs of fundholders’ patients being met.

‘In contrast,’ he writes, ‘it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the needs of patients of GPs who are not fundholders.’

He also states that the waiting list targets have reduced waiting times for non-urgent cases at the expense of delays in urgent operations.

Barnet will have to introduce ‘substantial restrictions on the health care to which people once believed they were entitled’, states Dr Farrow.

‘Today we are talking about services older people will not get when they leave hospital and others they will have to pay for,’ he warns.

He calls the administrative changes in the NHS ‘a paper chase of the highest order’ and efficiency savings plans ‘an Alice in Wonderland world’.

‘We have moved in one year from mad cow disease to the mad hatters’ tea party,’ he comments.

In an angry conclusion, he states that trainee doctors are not prepared ‘to become the undertakers of the NHS’. The outspoken report has caused a stir among neighbouring health authorities.

Barnet has been making regular headlines in recent months over the proposed closure of the accident and emergency department of Edgware Hospital. Two local MPs said they would resign the whip if the government did not act to save the department, but the health authority is insisting the A & E department must close in early 1997 to be replaced by a minor injuries treatment unit.