NHS Thought 2 - Privatisation a fear or a reality

I was talking to a man the other day, he asked about NHS reforms. He was worried about reform, I was worried how I would explain it. I started explaining the ageing population, increasing demand, patient choice etc. His eyes glazed over and then he stopped me mid sentence and said "If I need an operation , will I have to pay for it?" - I replied no. He said "that's all right then" and walked off content.

For all the mountains of paper, reports, consultations, listening exercises etc that simple reassurance was enough for him and, I am sure, it will be for many others.   Yet for many the threat of a privatised NHS is emotive.Like most people I am happy to pay my taxes to support the NHS in making sure the nation is as healthy as possible. I don't pay my taxes so a private corporation can make profit. I am naturally suspicious of business making profit from the sick.


But lets be realistic.
Right now a patient is being diagnosed by a machine that was funded by donations and corporate sponsors (private money) Once diagnosed they will go into the theatre cleaned by a private contractor. There will be a trolley purchased by the NHS from a private company, it will have a scalpel and tongs purchased from a private company. They will be given medication created by a private company.

The surgeon, employed by the NHS (but who does private work as well) will be supported by a nurse, who has been provided by a private agency. The health of the patient will be monitored by a machine suppled by a private company. After the operation they will return to the ward to lay on the sheets laundered by a private company. They may even use the telephone/television device that is installed in our local hospital by a private company.

All this will take place in a hospital that is part of a poorly negotiated PFI (private finance) contract, yep even the building could be considered 'private'. The NHS is already a mix of private and public.


Of course Labour will try to re-write history and raise fears about the NHS but it was Labours former Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, who said in 2007 "now, the private sector puts its capacity into the NHS for the benefit of NHS patients, which I think most people will celebrate"
Labours manifesto at the last election said "choose from any provider that meets NHS standards of quality at NHS costs" - Ed Milliband wrote that!
I am sceptical of too much private sector involvement in the NHS. But the Private sector already has a big role in the NHS, cheered on my both the Tories and Labour. I am proud that the Liberal Democrats alone have stepped out of the shadows of the old parties to curb their rush to reduce the NHS to a commissioning body and put patients first.