As part of the 2010 General Election, each political party launched their manifestos. Of particular interest to Benenden Healthcare Society is their healthcare polices and promises. We’ve taken each political party manifesto in turn and provided an independent, objective introduction to some of their healthcare policies, adding commentary on what this could mean for UK healthcare providers and patients.
Amongst its healthcare commitments a Labour Government has vowed to deliver a period of stability for the national healthcare service - making no top down changes to the structure of primary care trusts or Strategic Health Authorities during the next Parliament, and ensuring stability in the hospital payment system. It also provides a waiting time guarantee that will ensure treatment begins within 18 weeks of seeing your GP, or the NHS will fund you to go private.
Benenden Healthcare recognises that prompt access to services is of paramount importance to patients. That’s why we ensure that any member who needs treatment or diagnosis has the opportunity to request health services from Benenden Healthcare and experience reduced waiting times. We do this by operating on a referral basis from UK GPs, working to support the NHS to drive a vision of UK healthcare which is adaptive to meet the changing health needs of our society.
Within its manifesto, a Labour government has pledged to ensure that the NHS suits the lives of busy families, expanding further the availability of GP-led health centres open seven days a week in towns and cities. NHS organisations will offer telephone and online booking via the NHS Choices website.
The technological, social and healthcare demands of the nation are encouraging the government, political parties and healthcare providers to expand their services to meet the varied and pressured lifestyles of patients. 9am-5pm weekday opening hours are being challenged – something that Benenden Healthcare can respond to with its range of 24-7 health advice lines; including a UK GP 24/7 telephone advisory service that permits members to access a GP via telephone for medical advice at their convenience –whether home or abroad.
Also of relevance to Benenden Healthcare, is the Labour Government’s manifesto on mutuals which states that there is growing interest in co-operative and mutual organisations that people trust and that have capacity to unleash creativity and innovation. Benenden Healthcare Society recognises that the mutual model could play a bigger role in healthcare in the longer term – it’s a way for patients and providers to look beyond their own requirements and support the wider aims of a healthcare service that is there when it’s needed most.
The Labour manifesto also states that their party will drive forward their programme to strip out all waste, improve efficiency and get the most out of every pound spent. As a mutual, friendly society, Benenden Healthcare already provides this drive and focus in the delivery of healthcare services. With no shareholders to satisfy, our surplus in ploughed back into the business to support the needs of our members and improve the choice and quality of our healthcare services. We are proud of the fact that our mutual and friendly operating model calls into question every pound we spend, and that our members trust us to spend their funds wisely.
Further information:
Information about the Conservative 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.
