In other news: water is wet. I think we all knew that Charles wouldn’t have to go through the same pains us common British folk do in regards to accessing healthcare. But nonetheless I think it’s important to continue to highlight these ever growing class divisions in the UK, such as those between people who can afford private healthcare and people who have to rely on our public services. People in positions of authority and power in our country do not understand the struggles of everyday British people.
My TL;DR:
Charles is already receiving expert care for his cancer within days of diagnosis. His speedy treatment should draw fresh attention to the long cancer treatment waiting times that most British people experience with the NHS.
The proportion of patients in England waiting less than 62 days from an urgent suspected cancer referral or consultant upgrade to their first definitive treatment for cancer is 65.2%.
Amid growing frustration at NHS waiting lists, record numbers of people are paying for private healthcare. Nearly 300,000 people in the UK have paid for chemotherapy in the last five years.
Survival rates for cancer in the UK lag behind those of other European countries for nine out of 10 of the most common types of the disease.
Researchers said cancer waiting times across the country were among the worst on record, too many cancers were diagnosed at a late stage, and access to treatment was unequal.
Buckingham Palace has not specified whether the king is receiving private healthcare or being treated on the National Health Service.
Ok? I think everyone knew this was going to happen. The point is it shouldn’t happen, everyone should be given the same opportunities to have their cancer treated swiftly.
I’m not angry that he’s receiving treatment. I’m angry because of how many people with treatable cancer are dying because they’re not being treated.
I agree that it would be better if the NHS was able to treat everyone with the same response that the King has received. I just don’t see what this has to do with anything: If he had decided to use the NHS and get the normal waiting time the system would be just as broken.
My intention was to highlight how the wealthy elite do not personally experience just how broken the NHS is (which includes the PM, the monarchy, and many UK politicians).
If our monarchy and politicians had to go through the NHS for their medical issues then I imagine a lot more work would be done to improve the NHS.
Instead, the Conservatives are trying to destroy the NHS. And this is shown by how cancer treatment is becoming increasingly inaccessible (depending on class divides, where those with power in our country are able to more readily access treatment).
The point is ultimately that we shouldn’t continue to let the wealthy elite represent us, because they do not understand the issues that we face.
None of this is new information of course, the situation that the article features is just a good example and reminder of this.
I agree with you, I just think that the king isn’t a good example of this because he’d be getting priority treatment no matter what; he’s the head of state
As I said earlier, the head of state shouldn’t be getting priority treatment in the first place.
If the head of state didn’t get priority treatment his entire life then more work would be done to improve the treatment of everyone.
I’m not sure how else I can phrase this point for you.
I sure hope that boot tastes good