Are we about to see the end of the NHS as we know it?

What do you think are the chances that the NHS ends up becoming completely privatized?

The security of the NHS is a big reason for me wanting to move back to the UK, I'd hate to think that the UK health system is going to go the way of the American health system, where the almighty dollar is king.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...n-plan-1729681

I hope not, it's certainly a factor for us as one of many reasons to return.

HMG just gave the Scotland Independence supporters a huge boost.

It's political suicide for the Tories if true. Look at the 'quality' contracted-out' cleaning services.

It would never happen in our lifetimes. Means-testing, co-pays, or similar, maybe, but completely privatised? Never.

(BTW, Holly, what is HMG?)

[Edit ... Her Majesty's Government, maybe?]

[Second edit ... OK I get it ... "privatisation" rather than "private health care" ... different things ... then maybe, yes, I could see it. But it would always be under control of HMG regulation]

Very interesting, Thanks for heating up the discussion!

I will openly admit that I don't know all the ins and outs of how the NHS works but I don't understand how private companies who operate on a cost + profit basis could provide the same level of care as the NHS which operates on a cost only basis at a cheaper cost. Surely we're going to see a decline in care.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiLhJrZOkAU

NHS Reforms - what they mean for you

Growing divergence between NHS in Scotland and NHS in RestUK.

This recent case highlights some of the 'privatisation' problems. Wrong on so many fronts.

http://www.inquisitr.com/510201/elde...-by-caregiver/

With the unnecessary but increasing burden on the National Health System, I strongly feel there will come a point when UK residents will have to pay out of their salaries for health care. Perhaps it won't be as much as in the USA but I see it coming.

The positive side to the UK, though, is that it is about 10-15 years (IMHO) behind the USA as regards "becoming Americanized" and that's reason enough for me to want to go home.

I cant see it happening for many many years, there will always be some aspects that will be contracted out and it usually makes sense to do that. No British Government would abolish the NHS.

I see nothing wrong with the concept of the private provision of public services. This is the way most healthcare is delivered in The Netherlands and Switzerland, for example, countries which also manage to achieve near-universality of healthcare access. That universality is the important point, imo, not who actually provides those services.

from Unite? Not sure that's a quality source of information.

If you went to Unite to ask them to produce a video regarding the future of British Airways you might get an interesting point of view there too. Of course, under their point of view there would actually be NO future as the airline would be simply unsustainable and uncompetitive as a business. See if they care!

Seems competition is a dirty word.

Ironically, further to Giantaxe, that is, along with proper regulation, the virtually whole point of the success of the Dutch system, the best healthcare system in the world* in terms of both cost control and quality of outcome.

*In spite of the fact that the US seemed to bend over backwards to denigrate it in every way possible Maybe they think The Netherlands is just some little pin-prick nation so not worthy of being used as an example.