Theresa May insists the government would remain ‘committed to an NHS that is free at the point of use’ but couldn’t comment further.
Prime Minister Theresa May says she can only commit to a health service that is free at the point of delivery, but could not comment on whether the NHS would be off the table in trade deal discussions.
During an interview with the Independent May was asked if UK health services might form a part of a potential deal, she said: “We’re at the start of the process of talking about a trade deal. We’re both very clear that we want a trade deal. It will be in the interests of the UK from my point of view”, “I believe we can come to an agreement that is in the interests of both”.
When asked again whether the NHS would be off the table she said: “As regards the NHS, we’re very clear as a Government that we’re committed to an NHS that is free at the point of use.”
The statement left open the possibility of the greater involvement of US firms in UK healthcare, as long as people do not have to pay for the services they provide at the moment they are received.
“free at the point of use” gives the impression nothing will change for the patient. If pressed they will say, ‘who cares if the provider is state or private as long as the treatment is effective. But context is everything. Private contractors might be better funded but that investment would have to be recovered and a profit earned for the shareholders. Bids have to be adjudicated and evaluated and that involves both lawyers and accountants. The companies incur costs in advertising and lobbying. If the companies have to access other parts of the NHS, then that needs to be charged and the process itself has a cost. If the NHS teams do not get the contract, they are likely to be disbanded or absorbed into the new team. This divides the work force; no longer are they all working for the same employer, and their career depends the new employers.
The extra costs and probable loss of central oversight will affect the ‘point of use’.