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Don't be a 'slave to competition', NHS told | Don't be a 'slave to competition', NHS told |
(about 6 hours later) | |
By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News | By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News |
The government must not become a "slave to competition" over the NHS, the ex-head of the health regulator says. | The government must not become a "slave to competition" over the NHS, the ex-head of the health regulator says. |
Anna Walker said competition had an important role to play in making the health service more efficient. | Anna Walker said competition had an important role to play in making the health service more efficient. |
But Ms Walker, now head of the Office of Rail Regulation, said ministers had to learn from other sectors - and limit the scope of private involvement. | But Ms Walker, now head of the Office of Rail Regulation, said ministers had to learn from other sectors - and limit the scope of private involvement. |
It came as private health firms hit out at what they said was scaremongering about the changes in England. | It came as private health firms hit out at what they said was scaremongering about the changes in England. |
Under plans put forward by the coalition government, the NHS is to be opened up further to competition from private sector firms. | Under plans put forward by the coalition government, the NHS is to be opened up further to competition from private sector firms. |
This has prompted unions to suggest the health service is at risk of being privatised. | This has prompted unions to suggest the health service is at risk of being privatised. |
'Complex beast' | 'Complex beast' |
Ms Walker, who was chief executive of the Healthcare Commission for five years until stepping down in 2009, said competition had an essential part to play in modernising the NHS. | Ms Walker, who was chief executive of the Healthcare Commission for five years until stepping down in 2009, said competition had an essential part to play in modernising the NHS. |
But she added it had to be carefully managed. | But she added it had to be carefully managed. |
She said having competition, in markets like the NHS where there was a lot of public money at stake, was complex and not as simple as having full-blown competition. | She said having competition, in markets like the NHS where there was a lot of public money at stake, was complex and not as simple as having full-blown competition. |
Instead, she said simply comparing performance between different NHS trusts or setting up strictly regulated mini-markets, like the rail franchises, needed to be explored. | Instead, she said simply comparing performance between different NHS trusts or setting up strictly regulated mini-markets, like the rail franchises, needed to be explored. |
"In my experience, competition is a complex beast. What we have developed [in the rail industry] is a much more sophisticated understanding of when it helps and when it doesn't. My message: don't be a slave to competition." | "In my experience, competition is a complex beast. What we have developed [in the rail industry] is a much more sophisticated understanding of when it helps and when it doesn't. My message: don't be a slave to competition." |
And she added that if the reforms did not lead to the NHS becoming more productive it could undermine the whole ethos of the NHS. | And she added that if the reforms did not lead to the NHS becoming more productive it could undermine the whole ethos of the NHS. |
She said: "There is going to come a point that if the NHS is not delivering efficiently for people then gradually there will be a debate about whether everybody wants to contribute. If that happens society is going to be a huge loser." | She said: "There is going to come a point that if the NHS is not delivering efficiently for people then gradually there will be a debate about whether everybody wants to contribute. If that happens society is going to be a huge loser." |
Matt James, chief executive of H5, an alliance of five leading private health firms, agreed competition had a role to play. | Matt James, chief executive of H5, an alliance of five leading private health firms, agreed competition had a role to play. |
But he added: "Unions have whipped up accusations of privatisation, but that is not going to happen. I cannot see the amount of NHS work the private sector does increasing by that much. | But he added: "Unions have whipped up accusations of privatisation, but that is not going to happen. I cannot see the amount of NHS work the private sector does increasing by that much. |
"It is just not as lucrative as it is often suggested. It can only be used when there is spare capacity." | "It is just not as lucrative as it is often suggested. It can only be used when there is spare capacity." |
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Competition is not an end in itself - it's a means to getting better outcomes for patients and taxpayers. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to competition in health care - commissioners need to take decisions on how best to improve services for patients." |
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