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A report by Reform, a centre-right think tank, suggests that the NHS should be re-vamped with private insurance. Universal coverage would continue, but people could opt for added extras. PCT’s would be replaced by Health Protection Providers and people would be able to choose where to spend their £2,000 annual “health care protection premium”. This would be a straightforward diversion of the £2,000 per person that the government already spends. Accident and Emergency would be covered by compulsory insurance.

The reason for change, the report argues, is that better healthcare is delivered in countries which involve elements of insurance. Universal coverage (which the NHS already provides) is also key. For that reason, the USA is not a model for improvement – Switzerland and Japan are.The report argues:

International case studies show that insurance incentives:

> provide reasons for individuals and authorities to value long term improvements in health and wellbeing

> define exactly what individuals are covered for, ending the postcode lottery and empowering individuals to demand their rights from providers

> achieve greater value

> de-politicise healthcare

All of the above could be achieved through better management of the NHS without the need for insurance-style funding. The most important of the above, is de-politicising healthcare. The myriad of changes wrought by every new cabinet mean chaos for the tightly run teams of healthcare professionals who need stability in their operating systems. However, privatisation continues to gain popularity amongst policy makers and it is the job of doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals to defend the best of the NHS through strong action by the BDA, BMA and other organisations. Otherwise it’s definitely time to sign up to BUPA.