Politicians are naturally pre-occupied with the NHS, its performance and stability. In the run up to the 2010 general election, the politicians want to get their position right on the NHS. As a leading mutual healthcare provider in the UK, Benenden Healthcare is very interested in each party’s healthcare policies and promises. We’ve taken an independent, objective look at the key points in each manifesto and provide commentary on how this might affect UK healthcare providers.
Amongst its other healthcare commitments, a Conservative Government has vowed to increase health spending each year, focussing on patient centred care as opposed to politically motivated targets. Their manifesto states that they will give patients better access to the treatments, services and information to help extend lives, boost the nation’s health and reform social care.
Their emphasis is on giving the patient more choice and control in a healthcare system that is more transparent; giving every patient the power to choose any healthcare provider that meets NHS standards, within NHS prices. This may provide an opportunity for Benenden Healthcare to play a much bigger role in healthcare in both Yorkshire and across the UK.
Benenden Healthcare recognises that we are increasingly dealing with patients that are more informed about healthcare and wellbeing and that access to services and treatment remains a hotly debated topic. If we, as a nation want to create an affordable health and social care system which provides choice and transparency, then as a healthcare organisation, we need to provide healthcare preventative and responsive healthcare services.
Under a Conservative government, details about healthcare providers will be placed online, allowing patients to rate the quality of care received. This is a practice which Benenden Healthcare already implements through thorough patient surveys and feedback mechanism which allow us to track the quality of patient care that Benenden Healthcare regional treatment centres and our contracted services provide.
Also of relevance to Benenden Healthcare is the Conservative Government’s manifesto on mutuals – ‘decentralisation, accountability and transparency’. The Conservative Party wants to give public sector workers ownership of the services they deliver as part of an efficiency drive. They will support mutualisation as a way of transferring public assets and revenue streams to public sector workers.
Benenden Healthcare is a mutual friendly society and is a working example of how the mutual model can be an alternative and successful business operating model for healthcare providers. With a heritage spanning 104 years, we’re a living, breathing example of how a low cost, efficient healthcare service can operate - one which allows public sector workers and their families access to healthcare services when they need them most.
Further information
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
The UK Society places pressure on the healthcare systems
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.
