The government view

Abstract

It is widely accepted that most countries faced with increasing demands, rising costs and limited resources are acutely concerned with the performance of their health systems. The need to design a health system that durably meets both economic and social goals is not new. Beveridge envisaged a comprehensive health system for the UK half a century ago, and the resulting National Health Service remains the UK model today. In government, both political parties have sought to retain the original principles and origins of the NHS and both are committed to doing so in the future. Maintaining a healthcare service free at the point of delivery to the general public has tended to come before ensuring that the correct balance of provision and levels of reimbursement are attained.