Nik Butler: Time to treat our healthcare with the respect it deserves

Though lately it does seem that the pinnacle of leadership and corporate direction are, when faced with criticism of their decisions, capable only of instilling mild fear in the audience.

Be it suggesting that ‘Doing nothing is not an option’ in regards to health services or that ‘voting against the housing plan is not an option’. It seems the public are treated with little more than derision when it comes to consultation responses.

Granted there is a very clear and present need for additional NHS Doctors’ surgeries within Broadbridge Heath and Southwater, and you will note I do not refer to medical facilities, though it should not be at the cost of services elsewhere in Horsham.

It appears the community are not allowed an option; that was when the feelings of Déjà vu began. I predict that the future headlines in the County Times will reflect a growing concern that out of town GP services were affecting the success of high street surgeries.

Those super surgeries based on the edge of town were taking people away from the centres of trade; and smaller NHS practices were suffering the consequences. Add a few more years to that timeline and no doubt we will see the incorporation of Tesco expansions to include private health care and GP services at every superstore.

After all ‘Every checkup helps’. It follows that this will be a select service available to loyalty card customers. With a range of Value, Everyday, and Free Range health options for shoppers.

It is easy to imagine how Councillors and MPs would walk into this vision of future health care; after all everyone already shops on a weekly basis and with the pharmacy and optician services on site it would make sense to merge.

From there it is but a few steps to self service diagnoses and unexpected ‘bacteria’ in the bagging areas. These and other future options for Horsham health care hinge on the belief that we must do something.

We should do something; and that is send those consultants and middle managers packing. Instead demand respectful treatment of our health care system with a mind to the community not the corporate values when it comes to defining a future fit for Horsham healthcare.