While we celebrate 70 years of NHS there are concerns about its future.

The government has promised some more money, but what few people are talking about is whether we will get value for money.

There are two related issues: a. to what extent should care continue to be free at the point of use and funded by the tax payer, and b. how do we ensure we get value for tax payers’ money.

Up to now the public sector has provided most healthcare. However under plans now being rolled out, it is proposed to integrate primary, secondary, and social care in Dorset.

Fair enough; but in order to do so the whole package is to be handed to a private sector company. International comparisons suggest that the NHS with largely public provision is the most efficient, at least twice as efficient as the US system for example.

There are good reasons for this; private sector firms can ‘earn’ 40% profit but also massive administrative costs arise from arguments between the private sector provider and who ever channels the money to it.

So whose responsibility is it to ensure value for money? No longer it seems is the government responsible. So is it NHS England, or Dorset CCG, or no-one? Doesn’t the government care? Who benefits?

David Smith

Weymouth