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Privatisation of the NHS [UK]

Should the NHS be privatised?

All the Yes points:

  1. In the politics of today there is a noticeable commitment to the virtues of private enterprise and c…
  2. The issue of funding is a crucial one in this debate. The nature of private businesses fosters an en…
  3. The NHS is undoubtedly in crisis. It has been argued that the standard of treatment for patients is …
  4. Privatisation gives ordinary people the chance to become share holders in the health service. Since …
  5. “Fund-holding” practices have already been introduced into the NHS by the Conservatives to give doct…
  6. The health service at present effectively punishes those who work hard and are involved in individua…

All the No points:

In the politics of today there is a noticeable commitment to the virtues of private enterprise and c…

Yes because…

In the politics of today there is a noticeable commitment to the virtues of private enterprise and competition in the free market. The example of the rail service presents a comparison for the virtues and indeed potential dangers of privatisation, but is more importantly evidence of a government who uphold the advantages of private ownership.

No because…

In principle, there is no need for the government to relinquish control of the NHS. General health care for all is a widely acknowledged right in this country, and problems within the NHS due to overburdening of doctors, etc. will not be resolved through shifting the managerial responsibility. If the government wants to improve the NHS they should raise taxes in order for the public to raise the standard of a national health care service for all. People have always paid for public services through taxation – this is not a new radical solution.

The issue of funding is a crucial one in this debate. The nature of private businesses fosters an en…

Yes because…

The issue of funding is a crucial one in this debate. The nature of private businesses fosters an environment of competition, and with it the improvement of resources and facilities as companies compete for ‘business’. The injection of much needed cash into the NHS system can only raise the standard of treatment patients will receive.

No because…

Privatisation will always result in an emphasis on efficiency and profit. The vulnerable and the poorest in society will always suffer from such a scenario. The question of prioritising health care and rationing will always favour the rich, since targeting vulnerable groups will be an inefficient use of resources

The NHS is undoubtedly in crisis. It has been argued that the standard of treatment for patients is …

Yes because…

The NHS is undoubtedly in crisis. It has been argued that the standard of treatment for patients is too poor to justify it’s continued existence. What’s more, the population of this country is ageing, and will pose an even bigger burden on state funds as time goes by. This requires immediate solution and immediate investment from the private sector. If this is not achieved, people will be obliged to take out private health insurance anyway, in order to ensure they receive adequate treatment.

No because…

This also raises another issue: the nature of health as a basic human right – not one to be dependent on how much health care you can afford. . In addition, since health is predominantly determined arbitrarily why should one person pay more for more extensive treatment, just because they have the misfortune to contract a more serious illness? A National Health Care systems fosters more equality in society.

Privatisation gives ordinary people the chance to become share holders in the health service. Since …

Yes because…

Privatisation gives ordinary people the chance to become share holders in the health service. Since businesses must be responsible to the shareholders, this will give the general public more of a direct interest in the running of the NHS.

No because…

It is naïve to assume that shareholders hold any power over privatised industries. The nationalisation of the NHS at present allows the people more influence over it’s services through democratic accountability of the government.

“Fund-holding” practices have already been introduced into the NHS by the Conservatives to give doct…

Yes because…

“Fund-holding” practices have already been introduced into the NHS by the Conservatives to give doctors and health boards purchasing power in order to increase competition and improve standards, and reduce the inefficiency of centrally administered funds.

No because…

These practices have encountered several problems even on this small scale. Doctors and health staff have to spend much of their valuable time entrenched in administration work, expensive individual resources cannot be acquired from an annual local budget, and local needs and priorities take precedence and resources away from minor issues that could be better represented when tackled at a national level.

The health service at present effectively punishes those who work hard and are involved in individua…

Yes because…

The health service at present effectively punishes those who work hard and are involved in individual enterprise. Hard work should not be punished by the redistribution wealth by a means of high taxes, taking money away from the rich to pay for the ideal utopian health care for all. Those who use private health care already continue to pay tax to finance the NHS and services which they may seldom use.

No because…

Private healthcare already monopolises the best doctors, enticed into the private sector by better pay and better working conditions. Privatisation clearly widens the divide between rich and poor, between those who can afford health care and those who cannot. Society functions such that those who are more successful have an obligation to help those who are less fortunate. This is evident in all other public sectors – health is one of the most fundamental of these.

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heyy
5 years ago

In my opinion I don’t think it should be privatised because what about the people who can not afford it, there illness might have a cure to it but to have the cure they will need money but they might not have the money.This is my opinion remember so dont judge and come at me.

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