21.08.12
Going global
The dust has not yet had a chance to settle on the NHS reforms before ministers are considering the next bright idea: to expand the NHS brand abroad to increase profits, which would supposedly be plugged back into the UK.
Aside from presenting a distraction precisely when trusts need to be focusing all their concentration on the current reorganisation, this would require hospitals to enter into yet more private finance agreements to raise the necessary capital.
It seems the recent furore over the crushing consequences of PFI deals and the shaky handling of public services elsewhere in the public sector are being pushed to one side to allow global profit drives to steam ahead.
This poorly thought through idea seeks to squeeze more money out of the idea that the health service in the UK is of the highest quality. Perhaps government should spend a little more time and effort ensuring this is true before they peddle it to the rest of the world.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]