If the plans are taken to their logical conclusion, by 2015 the NHS will be little more than a brand. From a major public service with a million employees, it will have become a central fund with a minimal workforce, commissioning services from a string of private companies in a fully-fledged healthcare market.
Are we sure the Tories are really going to do this though?
Hope so….
“it will have become a central fund with a minimal workforce, commissioning services from a string of private companies in a fully-fledged healthcare market.”
Actually, it’s been like that since inception, as the entire primary healthcare system (general practise) has always been privately run on a franchise basis, and that it constitutes a considerably large part of healthcare.
What has changed is the sudden realisation that GPs are deciding who gets 70% of NHS money as they always have been, so they may as well manage it anyway and dispense with the largely useless administration in between, the model is the same as it ever was.
I doubt there will be many job losses, the NHS managers will simply take up residence in General Practise as employees of doctors, well, the competent ones will any way.
inshallah
Here’s my test of free market healthcare:
Can [Big Supermarket Chain] freely set up an in-store GP clinic*, with non-BMA accredited GPs, where one can pay for services rendered, without hindrance, in cash? With no govt subsidies or penalties for doing so?
*walk in centre, clinic, whatever you want to call it
Dare to dream.
Sacriledge!!!!!
You’re talking about a healthcare service that’s the envy of the world.
That part of the world that doesn’t have to use it of course……..