Changes in Britain's health care: an American attempts to revisit 'From the London Post.'
Article Abstract:
The major changes taking place in the National Health Service (NHS) in Great Britain have raised concerns that the standard of care may be compromised by a free-market approach. A cost-control initiative, known as fundholding, is underway to place greater financial responsibility in the hands of general practitioners, who must already act as the gatekeeper of the health system. This could create a conflict of interest between patient advocacy and health care rationing. In an effort to control management costs, the Regional Health Authorities are being replaced by more consolidated trusts, a step which has created much confusion. Limits being placed on physicians' workload and the required period of specialist training, which may allow for more moonlighting and competition, have also created concern that the quality of care will decline. Physicians' morale appears to be low in the face of these changes which, interestingly, seem to complement the changes in US health care that are moving towards the universal coverage and market limitations that have defined the NHS in years past.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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Quality, innovation, and value for money: NICE and the British National Health Service
Article Abstract:
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) was established as a part of the British National Health Service in 1999 to set standards for the adoption of new health care technologies and the management of specific conditions. A description on how NICE has responded to the challenge considering whether its experience of balancing quality, innovation, and value for money holds policy lessons for the US is presented.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2005
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