This 128 page report ONLY applies to England ( but doesn't make that clear ). As “ Life in the UK Test Study Guide “ reminds us, healthcare is DEVOLVED to the Scottish Parliament, and Welsh / Northern Ireland Assemblies . Expenditure on UK healthcare is more like £ 143 billion ( 2011 ), not “ 130 billion “, and the “ affordability gap “ of £ 30 billion quoted is only an estimate.


It's already been dismissed out of hand by those who can hardly have had time to read it ! The Labour Party and Unite Union oppose the headline-grabbing “ £ 10 a month NHS membership charge “. There are other, better, proposals – not least, making changes over a 5 – 10 year period, avoiding the disruption of other recent reorganizations .


They are are for the next Parliament ( 2015 – 2020 ) and beyond. Key messages are :-


• 1. “ Co-produce health “ - an NHS Membership Fee ( with exemptions ), and an annual “ Health MOT “. No mention of charges for visits to GPs.


• 2. More effective community-based services and public health.



• 3. Merge health and social care.



• 4. Preserve a largely tax-funded ( frozen in real terms ), largely free-at-the-point-of-use NHCS ( National Health and Care Service ).



• 5. NHCS to receive 1% increase per year above inflation, funded from “ hypothecated “ ( dedicated, ring-fenced ) inflation-proofed “ sin taxes “ on alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and “ health-damaging, sugary foods “.


• 6. Strengthen specialist hospital care – fewer sites, but allowing 7-day consultant cover.



• 7. Diversify provision – " end the phoney arguments about who provides services " : universal coverage of financial and clinical risks, not monopoly public service provision.


• 8. Selective " Hotel charges " for overnight stay in hospitals.


• 9. Full cost holiday vaccination charges.


• 10. Inflation-proofing prescription and dental charges.


Our Filipino friends, relatives, and partners must find it hard to understand never-ending NHS reviews and criticisms . The NHS has much to be proud of – especially universal financial coverage and many acute hospital services. Community services, primary care, public health, and mental health do “ continue to be patchy “ – as the report points out.



UK healthcare expenditure is - and should stay - less than 10% of GDP. The report's proposals are to maintain this ! It accepts that the NHS is good value for money - while not responding fast enough to changing lifestyles and disease profiles; an ageing population; and increasing public demand, coupled with chronic disease from poor lifestyles .



Health spending in the Philippines is too low - less than 4% of GDP. " Non-communicable diseases " are catching up in importance – 3/5 deaths are due to cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes, and chronic lung disease; compared to 9/10 such deaths in the UK. Life expectancy is less than the UK ; half of health expenditure is “ out-of-pocket “ ; health insurance is not comprehensive ; and poor Filipinos die from curable diseases because they can’t afford medicines and healthcare professionals.






http://reform.co.uk/resources/0000/1...ash_crisis.pdf