We must stand up for the NHS

As the NHS reformbill bounces its way between the Commons (who appear to be lacking a bit of common sense at the moment) and the Lords (who it seems have common interest at heart), we hear the voices of visited interests arguing the case for stronger private sector involvement in health care delivery. Such arguments, which masquerade themselves with themes regarding efficiency and productivity that are actually about self interest and greed, make my stomach turn.

What makes me nervous is that to date the role of private sector health firms has only resulted in providing those with better means with better access. Whether we like to acknowledge it or not; it’s a badly kept, inconvenient secret but those with better resources can gain access to the top NHS consultants quicker via the private sector backdoor. One example of private sector efficiency that we ordinary folk could do without! 

Further, it is an even worse kept secret about how the top NHS consultants can and have practically monopolised the supply of private sector health care to create an effective closed shop! This manifests itself in such features as limited access, preventing open market forces from operating in the normal way and keeping costs artificially high. 

Recently, many in the UK were shocked by the news that a possible 40,000 women who had had defective breast implants fitted were going to be left unsupported by the private sector to face up to the realities of a future of illness and poor health. While health companies can hide from their responsibilities behind limited liability it seems quite mad to consider involving them further in our public health service.

There’s an additional contradiction that concerns me about involving private health care firms with the NHS – this being one of personal interest of NHS employees. The NHS must be the only organisation in the world that allows its employees to work for the competition. Imagine the outcry if, in the name of profit and the open market, one day we discovered that a retired army general had set up a consultancy advising an enemy! Will a greater role of the private sector result in opportunism among tax payer trained health care professionals?

If we pursue this much talked about NHS reform bill, I fear the private sector will first look to serve its own interests. The NHS was created to serve all equally from the cradle to the grave; we must stand up and fight to keep it that way.

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Written by Fadel Takrouri. 


Fadel is a businessman and a Board Member of the British Arab Federation (BAF). 


The BAF is an organisation committed to enabling the British Arab community of the UK. We conduct research, hold seminars and events concerning Arab Business, Arab Culture and Arab News.