Stephen Hawking’s wholesale attack on NHS privatisation stifles debate
SIR – Professor Stephen Hawking does not speak for everyone in suggesting that the public does not want a measure of NHS privatisation (Letters, August 27).
To use his own terminology, it is silly to think that the NHS can provide a universal, unlimited service with a finite budget. I would go further and say it is foolish even to try. It would be far better to accept a basic level of care free at the point of use, and let people pay for more on top if they desire. In parallel, patients could be charged a non-refundable nominal fee for GP and hospital appointments, to discourage waste through missed or unnecessary appointments.
Unfortunately Professor Hawking’s provocative manner stifles the debate we need to have on these matters. Duncan Reeve
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
SIR – Perhaps, while they are arguing over whether it is actually happening, Professor Hawking and the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt could define what is meant by the “privatisation” of which they want us to disapprove.
Professor Hawking first made the claim that there were plans to adopt an insurance-style system, but in his letter he concentrates his fire on the provision of NHS services by private contractors. The latter, of course, poses no threat to the principle of treatment being free at the point of use.
The truth is that a large part of the NHS is, and always has been, in private hands. Virtually all GP practices, dentists, opticians and pharmacies are independent businesses. They treat their patients, who are in effect their customers, but the Government pays the bills. No one much complains about that. Why shouldn’t hospitals and other secondary care services be run in the same way? There is every chance that innovative organisations, competing for contracts and, perhaps, directly for patients, could greatly improve the service and make much more effective use of the money. Richard Mackenzie
Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire SIR – Professor Hawking is right that most of us had no idea about the plan to open up the NHS to bids from giant American healthcare providers.
The voters have decided to leave the EU, but we must not also jettison the European social model. If we do, then many of those who voted to leave will be the first casualties. Jane O’Nions
Sevenoaks, Kent
SIR – At a time of increasing challenges, including an ageing population, combined with important medical advances, a healthcare model that expects to benefit from an ever increasing share of the national wealth may not be the best available. We should be open to ideas from other countries.
Personally, I could not care less exactly what percentage of healthcare provision is directly controlled by the state. Just give us high quality and good value. John S Burton
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire