One for for Genghis Khan

[rootsnall]

If the public sector were to run as efficiently as say a top private enterprise then there would little need for us to earn vast amounts of money, there would be less crime and in alllikelihood we would lead healthier lives.

Some of what you say is correct but can you give me an example of a 'top' private entreprise providing public services in this super efficient way. Who are these top private enterprises ? For efficient read 'provide as little as possible for as much as possible'. The privatised utility companies, the likes of BT and the large outsourcing Co's provide a pretty useles service from where I am sitting.

[Zippy]

Outside now!

Both I and my wife are civil servants[yes I used to be a connie as well but I have my reasons], I have a moderately well paid position but my wife who has only recently gone back to work is on the bottom pay scale. If you'd like to stand outside I'm sure we'd both like to discuss your virulent fascist remarks.

Well, I did say a fair number - not all. My mum was one of these unsung, underpaid heroines of the NHS and she has a similar opinion to me. I can see that you are not one of those civil servants who constantly whinges about what a crap job/conditions/pay you have but backs away from getting another one.
My problem is that I have met and worked with a lot of people who are like that and their lack of get up and go and willingness to take responsibility would make it hard for them to work in the private sector. And the fact that in certain sections of the public sector, it is practically impossible to lose your job without committing a serious criminal offence. It is probably cheaper to leave these poeple where they are.

Fascist is a very strong insult by the way and completely unwarranted in this situation.

[DodgyAgent]

Some of what you say is correct but can you give me an example of a 'top' private entreprise providing public services in this super efficient way. Who are these top private enterprises ? For efficient read 'provide as little as possible for as much as possible'. The privatised utility companies, the likes of BT and the large outsourcing Co's provide a pretty useles service from where I am sitting.

If BT and large outsourcing Co's were not giving the customer what they want there is plenty of choice. I tend to find that contractors are more caring of their own agenda when criticising the likes of crap gemini etc.

Privatised utility companies are monopolies.

Top enterprises that provide public services are evrywhere, from the top public schools to BUPA. The sale of food (the availability of which is more important than health or education- without out it you die) is a service that illustrates so well how efficient business can be in delivering services.

[DodgyAgent]

Well, I did say a fair number - not all. My mum was one of these unsung, underpaid heroines of the NHS and she has a similar opinion to me. I can see that you are not one of those civil servants who constantly whinges about what a crap job/conditions/pay you have but backs away from getting another one.
My problem is that I have met and worked with a lot of people who are like that and their lack of get up and go and willingness to take responsibility would make it hard for them to work in the private sector. And the fact that in certain sections of the public sector, it is practically impossible to lose your job without committing a serious criminal offence. It is probably cheaper to leave these poeple where they are.

Fascist is a very strong insult by the way and completely unwarranted in this situation.

well put

[Zippy]

You do realise this top one percent includes us contractors...

Sadly not me .....

[DBA_bloke]

Do you only get so many vouchers for road accidents then? What happens if you have a particularly bad month?

The key point is "Free at the point of delivery".

Duh! Surely it'd be a case of vouchers per requirement, and emergencies being seen to at the nearest A&E.

e.g.
1. I have to get a hip replaced. I get a Hip Replacement voucher. I take it to the best hospital I can.

2. I get knocked down by a car, and am in a bad way. So, it's straight off to the nearest A&E, no voucher required, as this isn't a situation that has the luxury of choice. Aftercare, though, would have its own voucher, and, again, I'm free to choose where that happens.

[DodgyAgent]

Duh! Surely it'd be a case of vouchers per requirement, and emergencies being seen to at the nearest A&E.

e.g.
1. I have to get a hip replaced. I get a Hip Replacement voucher. I take it to the best hospital I can.

2. I get knocked down by a car, and am in a bad way. So, it's straight off to the nearest A&E, no voucher required, as this isn't a situation that has the luxury of choice. Aftercare, though, would have its own voucher, and, again, I'm free to choose where that happens.

At least you are making the effort to think about how such a system might work, which is more than can be said for our ruling classes.

[Moscow Mule]

Duh! Surely it'd be a case of vouchers per requirement, and emergencies being seen to at the nearest A&E.

e.g.
1. I have to get a hip replaced. I get a Hip Replacement voucher. I take it to the best hospital I can.

2. I get knocked down by a car, and am in a bad way. So, it's straight off to the nearest A&E, no voucher required, as this isn't a situation that has the luxury of choice. Aftercare, though, would have its own voucher, and, again, I'm free to choose where that happens.

Who says you need a hip replacement? Your GP? Physio? Or an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Typically you'd need to go through 3-4 different vouchers for such a major operation.

You're introducing a whole layer of administration into a system already burdened with too many managers.

You're also introducing a two tier system where folk who can afford to travel to the better hospitals get to use their voucher there (I'm assuming here that your voucher is only good for so much ambulance/transfer)

Nice idea, unworkable I'd say.

[gingerjedi]

Isn't that the French model (Private hospitals competing for public money)? Which is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, why can't we just copy it?

[KathyWoolfe]

Isn't that the French model (Private hospitals competing for public money)? Which is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, why can't we just copy it?

Because no Brit (should be British) would ever admit that anything French is better than what we have.