Opponents rally to fight ‘NHS privatisation’
By Ian Dunt
Opponents of government plans to introduce competition to the NHS have rallied to challenge the plans, which they say would privatise healthcare in the UK.
The well-respected British Medical Association (BMA) is lobbying hard to remove a section of the health and social care bill which would introduce new powers enforcing competition.
The bill would create a new economic regulator called Monitor, with similar powers to the Office of Fair Trading, according to the traditional model of privatising industries, such as gas, water or telecommunications.
But opponents are concerned that Monitor would have a statutory duty to promote competition, something many health experts warn could damage the NHS.
“Whatever your views of the privatisation of other services, it is certainly not the right model for the NHS,” said Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of council at the BMA.
“The consequences of failure in healthcare are far more serious than in other industries. At best, providers of care will be distracted from their main responsibility of providing excellent services. At worst, hospitals will close – not necessarily for appropriate reasons – and large groups of patients will have greater difficulty in accessing the care they need.
“The role of the regulator should not be to enforce potentially damaging competition but to ensure comprehensive, high quality care and to protect patients.”
A cross-party group of MPs have started to sign a parliamentary motion outlining worries about the bill, particularly its emphasis on increasing and enforcing competition, which some fear will damage collaborative working.
Activists are also concerned that the reforms, which are opposed by Labour and all health unions, could divert healthcare providers from their day-to-day role.
