Since the Health and Social Care Act was passed in 2012,
it has significantly grown the role of private companies in delivering health
care services in the UK. Today Clinical
Commissioning Groups are responsible for purchasing NHS services for patients
in England. As such, they may commission
services from any qualified provider via commercial contracts subject to
competition law. But because certain
private services operate under the NHS logo, it’s difficult for a patient to
know whether their treatment is provided by the actual NHS or a private
company.
Why does it matter? Cost and coverage. Estimates of regulating and administering the
market range from £4.5bn - £10bn per year.
Administration costs have risen from 5% of the NHS budget in 1979 to
over 14% in 2010. Furthermore, the Act removes the obligation to provide
comprehensive and universal health care.
My daughter and I participated in the enormous demonstration
back in September 2014 and more recently I assisted 38 Degrees’ efforts locally
on George Street in Richmond. For every
person that walked past, there was another – often with children – who signed the
petition on the spot. I applaud the
wonderful 38 Degrees activists who have gone out every weekend since the end of
February. They’re highly inspiring.
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