The Decency Threshold Poem by Mark Heathcote

Close the campus. Yes, but question—your health Trust.
Valuing people: 'Now' do we stick or bust?
Now that the NHS is just another amputee
A listless shopping channel casualty.

Devolved from central governance
Question: a business 'Tender' without substance
Contrition is on the national agenda!
The malady is a palliative flora.

The disenfranchised, dispossessed.
Who in community care can protest?
Given a home domestic goddess
Wouldn't you be happy with some social solace?

Let us bring in that domiciliary.
A couple of hours Monday to Friday,
Like Meals on Wheels, let's hope we're able-
To convey the valuing people principle.

Then let us re-institutionalise
From behind their domestic blinds
Let's hope we deliver them a time slot.
Time enough to dot the i's and cross the 't's.'

And, hey, that's your lot, 'Conformance.'
Until this becomes a financial garrotte.
Well, what is the answer then?
For the draconian: optimum performance.

Well, hell, let them rot and then
Till the shit hits the fan, blame the health, Trust.
That local man
And then we'll look to do all we can.

Let these providers compete.
Just think outside of the box, man.
Get with the program, man.
It's just another big conceit!
Privatisation in a can.