The Elephant in the Room is a Drunk!
The current mantra of our healthcare policy makers is "moving care closer to the patient". The reason (excuse) for this catchy little phrase is money. It is now assumed that moving care out of hospitals and into community settings is cheaper and on paper this is entirely reasonable. That's the "what" and the "why". It's the "how" that always terrifies me.
As a taxpayer, I wan't the NHS to be looking to ensure it doesn't spend money unnecessarily. There is one area where it could save itself a fortune if there was anyone brave enough to grasp the mettle. It's drunks!
Before shaving threepence off the community chripody budget, all politicians should be required to spend a Saturday night in the casualty department of the general hospital that serves their constituency. What they will see is an NHS emergency service overwhelmed with young, drunk, vomitting, often-aggressive pillocks who think that ending up having the contents of their stomachs vacuumed is a sign of a good night out.
Our risk-averse managers ensure that we care for these tossers with skills that are in short supply and very expensive to provide overnight and at weekends - how much would extra you want to be paid to be puked over on your Saturday night?
I think the answer is to adopt one of the United State's more sensible policies - the "drunk tank". If you're drunk and incapable, then get shoved in a large cell with all the other serial idiots until you sober up. In the morning you can pay the spot fine and find your own way home. Make sure the cell is tiled so it can be hosed down easily in preparation for the next batch. I don't wish to be uncivilised about it. Female drunks should have their own cell next door.
To start with, some cities will need something the size of an aircraft hangar (and there are plenty of those lying around) but once the message gets through to what's left of their brains, demand will surely lessen?
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Drunk Tank
I consider this to be an eminent suggestion; but even if the idea got of the ground - it would not happen (unfortunately) - for the cost of implementation would have to be sucked out of the already depleted policing budget.
Money saved here is always viewed as money spent elsewhere, and who would want to pick up the tab?
I have relatives who live in the U.S. Several years ago my neice's husband was caught driving over the limit. Not only did he spend a night in the 'tank', had whatever they do to driving licences done over there, he was also banned from cosuming alcohol for a year.
Police did 'spot checks' on him at home to ensure he was abiding by the ban; he was also required to have blood tests - at short notice - to check for secret consumption.
Sounds good to me - but I am sure that an infringemnt of 'Human Rights' would be picked up over here by the 'do goodie goodies', who do good while society falls apart around them.
Anna:o]
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