University Essay: The Privatization of NHS and Its Societal Impact

This essay delves into the contentious issue of NHS privatization, examining the ongoing debate between the NHS and private sectors. It explores the arguments in favor of privatization, citing potential improvements in efficiency and patient services, while also acknowledging the counterarguments centered on the NHS's role in British society and the potential for increased costs and social injustice. The essay analyzes the economic and social impacts of privatization, considering aspects like the financial burden on patients, the self-reliance of privatized entities, and the potential for class conflict and inequality. It concludes that while privatization may offer advantages like improved service quality and speed of treatment, it must be carefully considered to ensure equal opportunities for all patients, regardless of their socio-economic status. The essay references various sources to support its arguments.

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English Essay
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ENGLISH ESSAY
Privatization of NHS will be beneficial for the patients.
Introduction
To delve with the discussion whether there will occur privatization of the NHS or not, it
is quite evident that in the current times, there is occurring competition within the NHS, as well
as the private sectors. The debate concerning NHS’s future is getting intensified with every
passing day. The reforms associated with the NHS in the last few years have been used for
reaping the benefits of a market that is considered being successful (Davis 2017).
Discussion
In favor of privatization, (Goffey et al 2014) stated that the NHS is systematically
failing patients on various levels. When tackled with these concerns, the defender of NHS will
generally be stating that things will be comparatively better if there was the availability of extra
funding. However, clinical failure, waste as well as mismanagement are considered being very
common matters throughout the overall system. Moreover, the country cannot do the
continuation of putting money into something that is not working (Powell 2014). And, as
because no one is having the willingness to have a proper discussion of how the improvement
can be made, a large number of taxpayer’s money is being wasted on this failing system every
week.
Economic Aspect
Considerung the economic aspect of privatization of NHS, it will have different effects on the
social and economic conditions as well. If NHS is privatized then there might be a pressure on
the economically weak patients. As per the opinion of (Taylor 2017) Privatization will make all
the medical procedures quite expensive It will not be easy for the lower or the lower middle

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classes of the society to afford such high-cost services. Even if they want to afford treatment and
all the necessary facilities after privatization of NHS then they will have to bear huge
expenditure. On the other hand, there will also be some advantages as well. As per the opinion
of (Maynard 2017) if NHS is privatized there will be no economic burden specifically on the
hospital staffs only. Under privatization, NHS will become much more self-reliant and will be
able to raise the necessary amounts of funds as and when needed. It will no longer have to
depend upon the Government for the sanctioning of their funds. The tax rates will al; so be
equally divided among the doctors, customers and the other healthcare service providers.
Social Aspect
Considering the social aspect of privatization of NHS, it might cause several instances of
social injustice. This is because under privatization the cost of services will increase rapidly and
only the richer sections of the society will be able to afford the services (Goffey et al 2014). If
NHS is privatized, then they will also follow the first come first serve basis. In other words,
poroper medical services will be given only to those who are capable of paying the high price of
the medical services. As per the opinion of (Johnston 2017) the privatization of the NHS might
create a class conflict and social injustice among the different social classes of the society.
However, there will also be an advantage if NHS is privatized because the main purpose of any
healthcare organization must be to promote social welfare.Privatization will bring in several
improvements in the NHS. There have been several complaints from the end of the patients that
they often had to suffer because of the poor services in NHS like lack of sufficient beds for
accommodating the patients, lack of proper sanitation and timely assistance of the doctors.
However, if NHS is privatized then the patients will no longer have to face all these problems.

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On the other hand, there are also certain aspects that are in favor of NHS and go against
the viewpoint that NHS should be privatized. The NHS is considered being a foundation of the
British society. ‘Sustainability and Transformation Plans' that the government had introduced
had forced the NHS trust to reduce the spending wherever there will be a possibility (Musgrove
2014). They are considered being very much unpopular as they are leading towards needless
cuts. The NHS was not in crisis earlier, these plans are merely an uninvited measure of cost
cutting from the government (Waring 2014). The NHS might be considered being costly, but
there is a necessity for investment to be made. There is the requirement for better reform as well
as increased funding, not being sold off to the highest bidder. As per the opinion of (Waring
2014) there is a huge cost associated with the process of privatization. Private organizations,
will, without any doubt, be demanding funds for running the NHS. There will occur the wasting
of funds on ‘marketing’ the NHS if it will be getting privatized. If privatization occurs then the
spending of 1 to 10 NHS pounds will be occurring on expenses that are considered being non-
clinical. As per the opinion of (Kirkwood and POLLOCK 2016) Privatization will bring
sufficient amount of improvement in the services provided by NHS. It will speed up the entire
process of medical treatment. This is because of the fact that under the privatization system, Nhs
will no longer have to wait for any loan sanctions or funds from the end of the Government. On
the other hand, the burden of taxation will also be divided between the NHS doctors and also al
the other staffs involved. However, the problems that will arise are social inequality and injustice
(Johnston 2017).
Conclusion
Thereby it can be concluded that Privatization of NHS is necessary for the long run for
promoting social welfare. This is really a disgrace on the part of the healthcare centers if they are

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unable to provide timely assistance to the patients. Though it is likely to have some of the other
negative aspects of class conflict but methods have to be taken to avoid them. Though it would
speed up the quality and the speed of the medical treatment and the medical facilities for the
patients at the same time it will also breed social instability and injustice. Privatization of NHS
must take place only if it provides an equal amount of opportunities to all the patients
irrespective of their social and financial condition. Hence, a long discussion has to be carried on
regarding this topic taking into account all the expected consequences that it is likely to bring
along with it.

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Reference
Davis, K., Stremikis, K., Squires, D. and Schoen, C. 2017. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, 2014
Update: How the U.S. Health Care System Compares Internationally. [online]
Commonwealthfund.org. Available at: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-
reports/2014/jun/mirror-mirror [Accessed 17 Nov. 2017].
Goffey, A., Pettinger, L. and Speed, E., 2014. Politics, policy and privatisation in the everyday
experience of big data in the NHS. In Big Data? Qualitative Approaches to Digital
Research (pp. 31-50). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Johnston, I. 2017. How the creeping privatisation of healthcare is damaging the NHS. [online]
The Independent. Available at:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-health-service-
healthcare-privatisation-a7160771.html [Accessed 17 Nov. 2017].
Kirkwood, G. and POLLOCK, A., 2016. Awarding NHS contracts to private providers decreased
local NHS provision and increased inequalities: Scottish case study of elective hip
arthroplasty. Journal of Public Health.
Maynard, A., 2017. Shrinking the state: the fate of the NHS and social care. Journal of the Royal
Society of Medicine, 110(2), pp.49-51.
Musgrove, A., 2014. 700 mothers to recreate Jarrow march in protest at NHS ‘privatisation’. The
Guardian, 23.
Powell, M. and Miller, R., 2014. Framing Privatisation in the English National Health
Service. Journal of Social Policy, 43(3), pp.575-594.

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Taylor, P. and Powell, J.L., 2017. The UK welfare state system. The Routledge International
Handbook to Welfare State Systems, p.191.
Waring, J., 2014. Healthcare staff struggle to adjust to privatisation of NHS jobs. The
Guardian, 3.