UK National Health Service moves to increasing privatization

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10/3/12, "Labour conference: Andy Burnham vows to scrap NHS market," BBC

Analysis by BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle:

"The role of the private sector in the NHS is a thorny issue.

Ever since the health service was created after the Second World War it has bought in expertise from outside when necessary.

Today it is estimated about £1 in every £20 spent on NHS care goes to non-NHS providers.

Some of this pays for charities to help in areas such as cancer and mental health care, while some is handed over to private health firms to carry out knee and hip replacements.

The last 20 years or so has been marked by a desire by politicians from all sides to use the market to make the NHS more efficient.

Labour under Tony Blair expanded this under the patient choice initiative.

That allowed patients to choose non-emergency hospital treatment from an approved list of providers, including many from the private sector.

This set the wheels in motion for a greater role for private firms in the community sector - one of the issues Andy Burnham is warning about now.

Labour has argued the current financial climate requires a change in tack, while the coalition believes the answer lies in more private sector involvement.

Either way, the genie was out of the bottle long ago."


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