Lion in Winter

So, a little more is becoming clear about Johnson's NHS plans and they are seeming less and less like a simple reversal of the privatisation started by Cameron in 2012. This looks a lot like a different form of privatisation, where people can use private services, for which the NHS will have to pay, through a system of contracts for which private companies will bid. These private companies would be advised to sue the NHS, according to this writer, if they don't get the contracts they want. This means cash to the private companies, not necessarily to the NHS other than as a pass through, and presumably the non-lucrative parts of health fare would be left unloved and underfunded for the NHS to deal with.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/our...blic-interest/

The Guardian is more optimistic and this contract business is not mentioned. Nor is it by Hancock.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...but-themselves

I haven't read the white paper itself yet, but I will. You can get the document here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...l-care-for-all

It all makes me deeply uneasy.

Lion in Winter

I realise I'm the only one on this thread, so I'm talking to myself, but now a US health insurance company is buying up a load of GP practices.

That can't be good. What has Johnson been saying about "our" NHS?

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...health-insurer

Jsmth321

Are doctors self employed in the UK or are they salaried and employed by NHS?

Expatrick

LiW, I sympathise with you (the apparent lack of interest).

I think that most Brits, putting aside other matters of moment, are now suffering from NHS reform fatigue, there have been so many!

Having said that, I think we can be sure that the next set, while ideologically convenient for the current regime, will be another distraction (at best) - and probably worse.

Bipat

Hospital doctors are employed for fixed number of hours, GPs are 'self employed' but majority have 'numerous and various deals' with the NHS, a few are private.
All are 'ruled' by GMC.

Bipat

As you can see very few already 'private' GPs' involved----mostly London based who get a 'turnover' of patients, I really don't think it will 'expand'.

Lion in Winter

Those of us who have lived with the US system, controlled and priced by the insurance industry, are concerned. No corporation goes into a new market without intending to expand.

jimenato

The lack of interest is a) apathy b) 'too outrageous - they would never do that' c) 'inevitable - nothing we can do about it so why worry?'

Bipat

Quick look at your links describes 58 practices mainly London where there are wealthier and more transient patients.

There are 'about' 7,000 GP Practices in England. 28--39.000 GPs in UK (some part-time). (Rough figures).

How many GPs do you think would risk their income by going 'private'?

BristolUK

Or lack of energy. Personally speaking.

Too many liars, too many people okay with lying, too many people pretending they're not liars, too many excusing the lies, too many gullible people pretending it's not already happening when it already is...

It's in the people's hands, they have the power to do something about it.

Bipat

Yes patients can leave and 'signup' with another practice-----so as above---how many GPs outside of London or a particularly wealthy area will risk this?

robin1234

I think you’re misinterpreting the situation described in the Guardian article. This is not about GPs choosing to go private. It’s about NHS practices being bought up by a US health insurance company.

Bipat

No, I was replying to LIW who (I think) was predicting that there would be major expansion of private GP practices across the country.

(It is GPs themselves who would decide initially what happens to their own group practices----as to whether they agree to join up with a private scheme. If disagreement ---split up!)
There have been changes of 'ownership' of various UK private hospitals but the overall not a great many more such hospitals.

Lion in Winter

Exactly.

This is the UK branch of their business.

https://www.operosehealth.co.uk/

And this is their main site.

https://www.centene.com/

Are we incapable of providing our own "health products" (yes, really, that is the US language of the health care industry)?

Lion in Winter

No, Robin understands the problem correctly.