Health policy wins or loses votes. NHS hospital closures provoke people to march in the streets, stand for election and fund-raise millions so getting 'health' right is vital for any government's popularity. However, although every politician will support the idea of a long-term health strategy, general election cycles tend to mean government favours quick initiatives that produce visible results.
But those within the NHS dislike political involvement in healthcare. Three years ago, the NHS Alliance proposed the service should follow the Bank of England's example and devolve from government control. Three years on, the British Medical Journal actively endorsed the idea but the government has not fully considered the proposal's consequences. And there is a risk. Divorcing politicians' involvement in the running of the NHS may hinder public scrutiny of the service. So can we take the politics out of healthcare? Or will we lose more than we gain?
Responses to this topic (6)
Copy the Bank of England [view]
Campaign for Health Service Democracy [view]
The buck stops there [view]
Politicians boosting unsustainable demand [view]
Ministers and their meddlesome ways [view]
Taking politics out of health [view]
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Copy the Bank of England [
