The NHS "must be preserved from commercial interests who want to privatise it", Professor Stephen Hawking has warned, in a heartfelt tribute to the health service, recorded to accompany a new documentary about his life.
Professor Hawking, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 21, said that he would not be alive today without the NHS, which he described as "Britain's finest public service".
Speaking for a Channel 4 short film to be broadcast on Wednesday, the world-famous physicist and author of A Brief History of Time, recalled his previous public statements about the health service, which came at the height of President Obama's healthcare reforms, when an American newspaper claimed that he would have died already if he were British had to rely on the NHS.
"I replied, 'I am British, and proud of it,'" Professor Hawking said. "Only last summer, I caught pneumonia, and would have died, but for the NHS hospital care. We must retain this critical public service, and prevent the establishment of a two-tier system, with the best medicine for the wealthy, and an inferior service for the rest."
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Eddie
3 comments:
I think most people old enough in the UK have a real sense of the NHS being in troubling times.
Recently, I've come to see that that is down to two things :
corrupt politicians, having no interest in representing us democratically.
our continued membership of the EU. Think 'common market' where all shall have coal, but no one nation shall have a diamond.
Here's a New Statesman article, showing how our NHS is being sold out the back door.
Think 'problem, reaction, solution.' We're being set up with the 'problem' phase - NHS not coping. This will be reflected by media and public concern (the 'reaction')Then, either Labour, Conservatives, or whichever coalition will provide the 'solution.'
We still have time to save our NHS, but not until we reclaim democracy in this country.
Let's hope we do.
Sad times,
Geoff J (I've never been more serious)
Forgot the link :
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/12/how-eu-making-nhs-privatisation-permanent
Geoff J
I also agree when Stephen Hawking says 'We must retain this critical public service, and prevent the establishment of a two-tier system, with the best medicine for the wealthy, and an inferior service for the rest.'
I fear we the public and some of those within the NHS are fighting a losing battle. Nothing is perfect but this fine service has helped so many over the years, I sincerely hope it can continue to do so.
Time will tell but I worry if time, economic conditions and this government are on the right side of serving the good of the people.
Kay
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