7 March, 2011
Patients and Their Care are not Commodities
Comments by Monitor’s newly appointed chair David Bennett, comparing the NHS to utility companies and being ripe for dismemberment, are simply wrong. They illustrate the huge flaws in some of the more simplistic arguments for more markets in the health sector, warns the NHS Alliance.
And it appears that the government agrees that markets are not to rule the NHS, as it has moved to avoid outright price competition by amending the Health Bill.
Dr Michael Dixon, chairman for the NHS Alliance, said: “Mr Bennnet’s comments demonstrate a naïve and simplistic view of the NHS. This type of analogy shows little understanding of the complexity of patient care within the NHS. Putting markets before patients is ethically wrong.”
He added: “The blanket imposition of market philosophy may sometimes even reduce commissioning effectiveness. Government has recognised this as it has moved to avoid outright price competition by amending the Health Bill.
“Competition may have its place in the NHS, but patients come first. The privatisation of the utilities industry was based on the dynamic of supply and demand, with excess supply being key to regulating the market’s economics. In the health care system, especially considering the NHS’ limited resources and the complexity of patient care, this analogy becomes flawed, to say the least, and extremely dangerous to the future of the NHS.”
Notes:
- NHS Alliance brings together GP consortia, PCTs, clinicians and managers as the leading organisation in primary care. We are an independent non-political membership organisation proud to be at the forefront of clinically-led commissioning. Its leaders are all dedicated professionals, who represent the Alliance’s diverse membership, working ceaselessly to meet the challenges facing the NHS today. Find out more at www.nhsalliance.org
- For more information, please email pressoffice@nhsalliance.org or call 07772756674.