Public VS Private Healthcare

Healthcare systems generally take a one size fits all approach. In modern times however it is time to question if this is the best approach or should we be able to tailor our own services, including medical, to our own individual needs?

There is no research to confirm either as being the utopian choice for all. Rather, each system has its own positives and negatives which if able to be determined and then positives of each implemented there is no doubt that a far more robust and patient-centric establishment would be formed.

Positives of Public Health Services:

The NHS is free at point of use for immediate healthcare and treatment;Available to all social classes;All basic treatments available.

Negatives of Public Health Services:

Paid for through national insurance and therefore there is an underlying cost associated by contributions if you're an employee or self-employed and you're aged 16 and over meaning that those who do not work do receive "free treatment" whereas those who work pay for everyone's treatment monthly;Understaffed which in turn creates delays and long wait times for assessment and treatment;Managed inwardly rather than looking outside of the box.

Positives of Private Health Services:

Varying levels of cover giving choice on cost, provider, treatment options and medical teams;Covered for treatments and drugs that are not available via the NHS;Significant reduction in wait times.

Negatives of Private Health Services:

Pre-existing medical conditions are generally not covered meaning that should you have an illness or ailment prior to joining the private scheme, you would not be covered for this;Certain illness such as HIV/AIDS are not generally covered under any circumstance;Continuous care of chronic conditions.

These are only a few of the pro's and con's applicable to each sector but it allows for ideas to be born and nurtured in to something that works for all rather than a generic institution where those who would like a choice have to pay over and above the standard system.

An option for potential healthcare reform, based upon both public and private sectors working together, is:

The ability to opt-in or opt-out of public healthcare, with evidence of private health insurance taken or partial options taken such as a reduction in national insurance to assist in the cost of private health for a particular area(s). For example, you could take private health cover for cancer but rely on the National Health Service for the remainder.

It is worth noting that reforms such as the one above cannot be implemented overnight. It would take many years to implement such a change which is why, any reform that would be of note should be implemented sooner rather than later so that the generations after us can live a better life.

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