What happens when “resources are spread too thinly” in a government-run health system?
Following a National Health Service (NHS) audit, England’s government-run single-payer health care system, three of ten children’s health institutions were told to stop performing heart surgeries.
SkyNews reports that Royal Brompton in Chelsea, Leeds General Infirmary and Glenfield Hospital in Leicester will no longer be allowed to perform heart surgeries and procedures following a “national review aimed at streamlining pediatric congenital cardiac surgery services.” The NHS “review recommended that surgery be concentrated in a few specialist centres” according to the news agency.
Here are a few responses to the government decision to close these pediatric surgery programs:
• Bob Bell, CEO of Royal Brompton & Harefield, the largest heart and lung center in the United Kingdom, speaking to his board said, “One thing is certain, I will not be asking them for the mandate to manage the destruction of a highly valued and respected children’s unit.”