Best Get Ill Now Whilst it’s Still Free!

On Saturday May 14ththe Guardian reported that “David Cameron’s adviser says health reform is a chance to make big profits”.  The

report asserts that one of the prime minister’s senior advisers suggests that the NHS could be significantly improved by charging

We couldn't find an interesting picture for this story so decided to use this one! How cute!

patients for healthcare, in a kind of “state insurance” scheme.  This would see us following in the footsteps of America, where citizens pay into a health insurance policy.

The report goes on to inform us that Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats will not support any motion that allows the “profit motive to drive a coach and horses through the NHS”.  Well that is a relief.  Thank goodness we are in a coalition government.  As long as Nick is not distracted by something shiny or some chocolate from Dave’s lunchbox then the whole thing is a mute point.  The Guardian clearly does not have any actual news to report on.

That being said, since we have taken the time to look into this story we felt it only fair to actually do our own research, so found ourselves a transcript of the Prime Minister’s speech on NHS reforms.  From what we can gather our fearless leader is passionate about the NHS and to keep it alive, change is essential.  He is less clear as to what this change will actually entail.  Not to be deterred we sent Graham, our man on the ground to look into the proposed Health and Social Care Bill.  This is what he came up with:

“I think it’s like ‘Postman’ Pat, ‘Fireman’ Sam, etc: ‘Health and Social Care’ Bill.”  Bless his little cottons.

By this point we’re regretting looking into this story.  There are no stressed penguins or cheesy dogs, there is certainly no fun picture to include.  Not to be deterred we contacted a healthcare professional.  It is amazing who will talk to you if you fain illness.  She told us:

“There’s always been talk of giving GPs more power to prevent hospitalisation and promote primary care (preventive) rather than secondary care (treating).  With a growing elderly population it’s not going to be as easy, medications and services are more expensive to GPs rather than in hospitals and would GPs specialise in certain areas to prevent them missing out on key diagnosis?  If we privatise would we get the same benefits and job security?”

It all seems to be getting very complicated. Ah well, form your own conclusions.

The Guardian’s original article is here:http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/may/14/david-cameron-adviser-health-reform

The transcript of the PMs speech is here: http://www.newstatesman.com/2011/04/status-quo-nhs-money-change

And finally the Health and Social Care Bill is Here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmbills/177/11177.i-vii.html yeah, good luck with this last one.

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