Dr Joe Pajak
Total number likely to rise before it starts to come down, so why not increase resources within the NHS?
After all, the private sector wouldn't exist without its NHS consultants, NHS referrals, and its ability to send recovering patients back to the NHS? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66319064
NHS to expand use of private sector to tackle waits

Ministers in England want to unlock spare capacity, but Labour accuse them of dither and delay.

BBC News
Aug 4, 2023 at 8:40pmWeb
Show threadDr Joe PajakAug 4, 2023
'Around 36 million Europeans [or 1 in 30] may have experienced #LongCOVID in the first 3 years of the pandemic, announced @hans_kluge @WHO_Europe, latest @IHME_UW 'A glaring blind spot in our knowledge that urgently needs to be filled'. #LongCOVIDcontinues
https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/insights-blog/acting-data/long-covid-serious-health-concern-europe
Long COVID is a serious health concern in Europe | The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Nearly 36 million Europeans – or 1 in 30 – may have experienced long COVID in the first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced the World Health Organization (WHO) European regional director Dr. Hans Kluge, who cited the latest estimates by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).   

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
Show threadLucibeeAug 4, 2023
@JoePajak Their big mistake is opening up more diagnostic centres before treatment centres. 🤦
Show threadColinAug 4, 2023
@Lucibee @JoePajak I'm concerned that the community diagnostic centres that are being opened and have nothing to do with the private sector, is sending the wrong message about what the NHS is already doing.
Agreed, the treatment centre lag just moves patients along to another under-resourced queue. On balance public funded community diagnostic centres help underserved communities and addresses some inequalities and help to determine who needs treatment and when, by the nature of diagnosis.
Show threadColinAug 4, 2023
@JoePajak Absolutely right. The private sector infrequently has the resources to deal with serious acute events.