Former Member 7 Years Ago Is it really about government? Is the sea change in levels of respect for professionals more about the expectations of people who come into contact with professionals? People expect a high standard - and rightly so! The general approach from so many professionals appears to be 'we're in charge - do as we say' but is that really acceptable? Think back to pre google days. Professional knowledge was jealously guarded and hidden from public view - those with the knowledge knew best - apparently! These days anybody can access anything, discover rights, rules and regulations. Discover the systems for disciplinary actions when the professional gets it wrong. Discover the systems for correct provsion/ diagnosis/ tretament etc. Everybody can be informed about everything that effects their lives - and rightly so. The approach should be partnersip and choice - not 'we know best'. 0 Reply as... Cancel
Blair McPherson 7 Years Ago No one wants to go back to the days when professions were above questioning and teachers, doctors and social workers paid little regard to the views of parents, patients and clients.I think professional standards have improved over the last 20 years. I do not think professionals only act out of self intrest but being professional they view themselves as having a duty advocate on behalf of those they trained to help. This the government does not recognise or accept because it is inconvenient. 2 Reply as... Cancel Former Member Blair McPherson 7 Years Ago I think you make some excellent points. I think that our current government are pro an elitist 2 tiered education (and health) system, so those that can afford it move to the upper tier and pay for it, and those that can't stay in the lower tier. I think that there's some opinion that if you don't earn enough to be rich then you don't work hard enough and it's your own fault - equally if you do earn enough then that's a result of your own hard work and you are deserving of a better class of service which you can now afford. (please note I do not agree with this opinion). I strongly believe that's why the government don't really listen to professionals (such as in education or health) because I don't think that it's on their agenda to make the state systems the best that they can be. It's more than it being inconvenient for the government - in my opinion it is a wilful disregard by the government for state services for people who are not wealthy. 0 Reply as... Cancel
Former Member Blair McPherson 7 Years Ago I think you make some excellent points. I think that our current government are pro an elitist 2 tiered education (and health) system, so those that can afford it move to the upper tier and pay for it, and those that can't stay in the lower tier. I think that there's some opinion that if you don't earn enough to be rich then you don't work hard enough and it's your own fault - equally if you do earn enough then that's a result of your own hard work and you are deserving of a better class of service which you can now afford. (please note I do not agree with this opinion). I strongly believe that's why the government don't really listen to professionals (such as in education or health) because I don't think that it's on their agenda to make the state systems the best that they can be. It's more than it being inconvenient for the government - in my opinion it is a wilful disregard by the government for state services for people who are not wealthy. 0 Reply as... Cancel