Report: Current Problems and Wicked Problems in NHS Scotland

This report provides an overview of the current and wicked problems facing NHS Scotland. It analyzes several key issues, including the challenges posed by an ageing population, the dangers associated with healthcare privatization, difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, and persistent health inequalities within the system. The report also examines the impact of medical and technological advancements on NHS Scotland, highlighting increased reliance and associated budgetary concerns. Each article within the report references relevant sources, offering a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges confronting the Scottish healthcare system. The analysis covers various aspects like patient care, staff retention, and the financial implications of these issues, providing a well-rounded perspective on the state of NHS Scotland.

CURRENT PROBLEMS OR WICKED
PROBLEMS IN NHS SCOTLAND

Contents
ARTICLE 1: Ageing population in NHS Scotland................................................................................3
ARTICLE 2: Dangers of privatization...................................................................................................3
ARTICLE 3: Difficulties in recruitment or under staffing.....................................................................3
ARTICLE 4: Inequalities in NHS Scotland...........................................................................................3
ARTICLE 5: Medical and technological advances and increased reliance in NHS Scotland................4
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................5

ARTICLE 1: Ageing population in NHS Scotland
The older people are facing the current issues regarding the policies or strategies
which is imposed by the government regarding securing their life for longer time period. The
issues which they are facing is relating to not getting equal medical treatment as comparison
to higher society class people gets (Older people, 2020). That’s the reason they are dying at
the earlier age than comparison to the younger people. Usually the older age people are get
less attention and also not provide the equal services as relevant to the higher class people
which can afford the better medical treatment. By viewing this point, it is stated that NHS
Scotland is facing issues regarding occurring huge expenses in respect of providing better
treatment. It is stated that the 65 years old people requires more costly treatment than the 30
year old people. Thus, gaining people had to admit to the hospital again and also their
treatment is costly in respect of taking care of them.
ARTICLE 2: Dangers of privatization
The current issues which the patients in privatization facing is relating to lack of
understanding the patient emotions instead of providing them higher bill in exchange of their
medical treatment. Through this manner, the danger is raised in respect of not affording the
bill at every time and thus focusing more on using the NHS services which is sponsored by
the government for health and safety of the person (CREEPING PRIVATISATION OF
HEALTHCARE IS DAMAGING THE NHS, STUDY FINDS, 2020). The major issues which
the Privatization is famous for its commission model. As the doctors which are working in
that field are taking commission in respect of providing the accurate treatment and thus, them
indirectly losing the trust of the patients. Through this manner, they are considered to be in
danger zone. The issues which the NHS faced in respect of entering into privatization is
relating to not providing the free medical facility which they are providing during the public
owned hospitals. As the reason behind the point of dangers for NHS is that they are getting
less patients in the hospitals which results in not maintaining their hospitals in better manner.
ARTICLE 3: Difficulties in recruitment or under staffing
In this article, the major issues which the NHS Scotland is facing is relating to not
retaining the interest of the staff through getting fear in respect of under staffing in hospitals.
As most of the nurses and doctors are in fear, that they are not getting adequate job security at
the work place and thus, the chances of retention is less (NHS in Scotland has ‘major
recruitment problem’, 2020). Through this aspects, most of nurses quit their jobs or not
agreeing to work as such places. Thus, in such manner, the NHS Scotland is facing issues in
recruiting the staff and providing them guarantee about their job.
ARTICLE 4: Inequalities in NHS Scotland
Inequality is the major factor that cause negative impact upon health and the major
reason which raises this aspects is relating to job issues. Therefore, due to not availability of
the job within a limited area, people are affected because they do not have any specific source
of income in order to feed their family. That is why, it cause a major impact upon the health
inequalities. Also, due to paid work is not enough to improve the health and as a result, it
cause mental and physical misbalanced (Inequality in NHS Scotland, 2019). But from 2012
onwards, the rate of employment is increases and as a result, it creates positive impact upon

the health. Moreover, gain in employment have not yet translated into expected improvement
that assist to reduce poverty and better health.
The government of Scotland takes special measures in order to minimize the problem
and reduce the health inequalities as well. It refers to the government and NHS tries to
discontinue the measure and reduce inequalities as well. Therefore, the government of
Scotland also made Scottish Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities on 2013 in order to
reduce the impact of health inequalities. While on the other side, NHS Scotland and Health
and Social Care Partnership is also set up in order to increase their existing knowledge and
skill that help to address the inequality. Moreover, both NHS and HSCP is also present their
views in order to develop best strategic plan.
ARTICLE 5: Medical and technological advances and increased reliance in
NHS Scotland
Due to variation in government norms resulting in affecting the working of the NHS
services. The main impact of government is raised in relating to adapting the advanced
technology at work place which helps in providing better treatment to the people. But this
treatment is resulting in costly procedure and government is supporting less in this
perspective. The current issues which they are facing is relating to adapting the medical
technology advances but it charges very costly, which indirectly not fitting into their budgets.
The another issues which is raised in this aspects is relating to not controlling the visitors in
the hospitals which resulting in causing major overcrowding in the hospitals and also requires
higher budgets to maintain the visitors (Challenges Facing The NHS – Medical School
Interviews, 2020). The major issues is raised in the winter season, where the health issues lies
majorly on older people and the number of patients are increasing in this season only. But the
government rules are same in every case and through this manner, NHS Scotland is facing
issues.

REFERENCES
Online
Challenges Facing The NHS – Medical School Interviews. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://educationprojects.co.uk/challenges-facing-the-nhs/>.
CREEPING PRIVATISATION OF HEALTHCARE IS DAMAGING THE NHS, STUDY
FINDS. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.independent.co.uk/life-
style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-health-service-healthcare-privatisation-
a7160771.html>.
Inequality in NHS Scotland. 2019. [Online]. Available through: <
http://www.healthscotland.scot/reducing-health-inequalities/take-the-right-actions>.
NHS in Scotland has ‘major recruitment problem’ . 2020. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nhs-scotland-has-major-recruitment-
problem-1503404>.
Older people. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <
http://www.healthscotland.scot/population-groups/older-people>.