NHS privatisation

why is the NHS free?

• funding is obtained through general taxation, national insurance and small amounts of prescription costs

NHS privitisation

• NHS commission its services to other companies so that people pay through private insurance or pay to access healthcare

pros of privatisation

• NHS has very long waiting lists so privatisation will alleviate pressures on the NHS and reduce the waiting times

• more money to put forward to increase doctor salaries or put forward for medical research that could live-changing

• more autonomy for patients: they can choose which treatments to participate in

• less unneccessary visits to doctors so reduced waiting times and improves healthcare access for other people

cons of privatisation

• discourages people from seeking healthcare due to costs

• excludes groups in society who may not be able to afford private healthcare as easily

• those born with diseases or those with chronic illnesses will have greater finanical costs which is unfair

• healthcare could become more fragmented because if different NHS services are commissioned out to different organisations, navigating all these organisations and managing systems between different companies would become more difficult

survery conducted by BMA - two thirds of doctors state that they would be uncomfortable with the idea of privatisation growing through the NHS

NHS or private and why?

• quality difference

  • should be the same quality as both are regulated by the General Medical Council

• depends on financial status

  • if unemployed and care for children or vulnerable people, private may not be the wisest option as it is very difficult to afford

• depends on urgency of condition

  • NHS has very long waiting lists so privatisation will alleviate pressures on the NHS and reduce the waiting times

  • NHS appointment may not be tailored to work life

    • since the NHS is high in demand, you may be given quite random appointment times which and some people may have to miss work to attend an appointment so they lose money for that day