Benenden Healthcare is watching with interest the composition of the British Government following on from the announcement of a hung Parliament from the 2010 General Election. Will David Cameron seek to govern with a minority, or will he seek a coalition Government with Liberal democrat Leader Nick Clegg? After 3 years of a Labour Government under Gordon Brown, how will the parties agree on NHS reform and healthcare spending?
As a mutual healthcare provider, Benenden Healthcare Society has been following the election with interest, keen to understand how the Parliament who comes into power will influence healthcare in the UK. We look forward to a future that sees the UK political parties shape UK healthcare for the benefits of patients and mutual healthcare providers.
Impact of the political parties Mutual and Healthcare manifestos
As the UK Parliament resumes, we’ll be watching with interest the mobilisation of the political parties healthcare manifestos and the impact it has on how NHS services are accessed and supplied. Of particular interest to Benenden Healthcare is;
- How the political parties will agree to change the NHS and the resulting impact on UK healthcare services
- How pledges to improve patient choice and GP access will be delivered by the political parties
- Whether the parties can agree on the role that mutual organisations can have in driving innovation in the provision of public services
- Priorities for spending and healthcare improvements
- The appointment of healthcare and third sector minsters
- Improvements in treatment waiting times.
About Benenden Healthcare
Benenden Healthcare is a mutual, friendly healthcare provider, delivering first class healthcare to over 940,000 UK members. We are proud that our mutual status allows us to consider alternative and flexible approaches to the provision of healthcare services. Our mutual status means that we do not need to rely on the economy and its robustness. We operate a cost efficient business model that allows our members to get the healthcare they need, when they need it most. We do this by operating on a referral basis from UK GPs, so that any member that needs treatment or diagnosis has the opportunity to request health services from Benenden Healthcare and experience reduced waiting times.
We pledge to affordable provide healthcare that’s unrestricted by age and medical conditions. We offer healthcare services tailored specifically towards the needs of public sector workers, providing a balance of services that marries affordability with accessibility – including access to 24/ 7 telephone advisory services. We offer a prompt, discretionary and choice driven healthcare system – our members can request healthcare assistance across a range of services when they’re needed most.
Further information
Information about the Conservative Party Healthcare manifesto
Information about the Labour Party Healthcare manifesto
Information about the Liberal Democrat Party Healthcare manifesto
The role of mutual providers, co-operatives and social enterprises in the delivery of public services.
The future of healthcare in the UK
Benenden Healthcare’s response to cost savings
Disclaimer
Benenden Healthcare is not affiliated to any political party, and the views expressed within this document are for the purpose of discussing the potential future of UK healthcare in an independent, objective manner.
