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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Paul Burstow MP writes: Keeping competition in its box
July 15, 2011 4:50 PM
• [Jul 12] Paul Burstow writes: MENTION the words "competition" and "the NHS", and you will often get the same two responses. A misapprehension which confuses competition with privatisation. But also an instinctive desire to reject new providers in order to protect the NHS. We understand this reaction, and we understand why people are cautious about competition. The creation of the NHS is a cherished part of the liberal story. It was a liberal, working in a Coalition, who first imagined the NHS and its values of healthcare available to all, free at point of delivery, based on clinical need, not ability to pay . .
Our reforms aren't about competition. They are about delivering greater choice and control to patients to access high quality care. Bringing fresh thinking, new ideas, and different ways of doing things that can improve services for patients. But there need to be more safeguards, which I will also introduce this week. With the changes we will make, people can feel confident that they will receive high quality care wherever they choose to be treated.
• Paul Burstow MP writes: Keeping competition in its box [Lib Dem Voice Jul 12]
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