Suggestions have been made that poorly performing NHS Trusts could be ran by private healthcare companies in the future. Similar moves have been made by the government to help improve some schools and local councils have increasingly been using private finance initiatives as a way of funding long term investment in certain infrastructures. Simon Heffer, speaking in ‘The Telegraph’, says that ‘private-sector hit squads’ should be sent in to sort out certain NHS Trusts like Basildon and Thurrock Trust. Although critics say that these private companies are there to make a profit, the NHS is already commissioning a considerable amount of private healthcare for their patients as part of the Choose and Book programme and deals with a large number of profit making businesses already, like drug companies for example.


The increased use of the private sector in state provided services is just a part of a long held belief that independent businesses can often supply a much better quality experience. This is one of the reasons why some people already choose to have their medical treatment in a private healthcare hospital than an NHS facility. The majority of these people will have a private medical insurance policy and by investing in their health in this way, they know that they will be treated in the one of the best facilities and in the shortest time possible if they should unfortunately become sick. Illness is one of the most unpredictable things in life, and so it is often very important for people to have that peace of mind that the best possible facilities are available to them if the circumstances arise.