Public Health

01.02.18

Move to US-style healthcare through ACOs ‘deeply unpopular’ with public

A move to a ‘US-style’ healthcare system which would involve the private sector through schemes like accountable care organisations (ACOs) would be “deeply unpopular” with the public, an analysis by the King’s Fund has suggested.

The analysis of the British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey across 34 years, revealed that support for public spending in healthcare is as high as ever, with the public consistently rejecting the idea of lowering tax and lowering spending.

Moreover, over 90% of respondents support the view that healthcare is a government responsibility.

Over the years, respondents to the surveys have been clear that they want a health system provided by the government, which is a top priority for extra spending and no access restrictions based on income.

In a blog published today, Richard Murray, director of policy at the King’s Fund, said that the analysis shows that the public remains “extremely supportive of the principles and core purpose of the NHS.”

He added: “Those that fear a shift toward a more US-style system based on private spending should take some comfort from these results as they suggest this would be deeply unpopular with the public.”

His comments come amidst a wave of objections to the formation of ACOs, with world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking backing the organisation JR4NHS, which has been granted permission to pursue a judicial review against NHS England and the health and social care secretary.

The group claims that the government has not properly legislated for ACOs, leaving gaps which could make the system vulnerable to privatisation.

Murray continued to say that the public does respond to significant changes in the performance of the NHS, with fluctuations in satisfaction seen across the 34 years.

“We may now be at a turning point as these historical gains begin to fade away and once again, this carries political risks for any government: loyalty to the principles of the NHS does not blind the public to poor performance,” he added.

“While the New Romantics of 1983 have been replaced by the hipsters of Hoxton, it seems that no matter what the changes in wider society and attitudes to other areas of public spending, the NHS remains the public’s number one priority for funding.”

Top image: Sean Dempsey, PA Images

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an NHE columnist? If so, click here.

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

latest healthcare news

New agreement reached to benefit NHS junior doctors

10/09/2020New agreement reached to benefit NHS junior doctors

Junior doctors in the NHS will now also be able to undertake their training in independent hospitals after a new agreement was reached between in... more >
NHS capability for advanced therapy boosted by further investment

10/09/2020NHS capability for advanced therapy boosted by further investment

An additional £9.5m funding boost has been awarded by the UK Government into the Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre (ATTC) network. Est... more >
Identification of Covid-19 risk groups to help guide treatment

10/09/2020Identification of Covid-19 risk groups to help guide treatment

Appropriate treatment pathways for coronavirus patients admitted to hospital are beginning to be refined after research data showed people w... more >

editor's comment

26/06/2020Adapting and Innovating

Matt Roberts, National Health Executive Editorial Lead. NHE May/June 2020 Edition We’ve been through so much as a health sector and a society in recent months with coronavirus and nothing can take away from the loss and difficulties that we’ve faced but it vital we also don’t disregard the amazing efforts we’v... read more >

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us th... more > more last word articles >

the scalpel's daily blog

Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

28/08/2020Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers & Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Confederation The common enemy of coronavirus united the public side by side with the NHS in a way that many had not seen in their lifetimes and for others evoked war-time memories. It was an image of defiance personified by the unforgettable N... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental health and wellbeing. As the best rugby players in the world repr... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

13/06/2019Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

Nurses have been named as the most under-appreciated public sector professionals as new research reveals how shockingly under-vauled our NHS, edu... more >
Creating the Cardigan integrated care centre

10/06/2019Creating the Cardigan integrated care centre

Peter Skitt, county director and commissioner for Ceredigion Hywel Dda University Health Board, looks ahead to the new integrated care centre bei... more >

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual conference, Matt Hancock highlighted what he believes to be the three... more >
NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

17/09/2019NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

Over 20 years ago, a Teesside hospital cleaner put down her mop and took steps towards her midwifery dreams. Lisa Payne has been delivering ... more >
How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

24/10/2018How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

A dedicated national social care service could be a potential solution to surging demand burdening acute health providers over the winter months,... more >
RCP president on new Liverpool college building: ‘This will be a hub for clinicians in the north’

24/10/2018RCP president on new Liverpool college building: ‘This will be a hub for clinicians in the north’

The president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has told NHE that the college’s new headquarters based in Liverpool will become a hu... more >

health service focus

View all News