The Great NHS Experiment wobbles to an end

I remember fondly many decades ago the then Liberal politician Shirley Williams stated with certainty on Question Time that "another 2 billion pounds would solve the under-funding problems of the NHS". How time flies.

Here we are, at the fag end of the New Labour great experiment with public services. This experiment was to throw large amount of public funds at monolithic public institutions on the basis that money would cure all ills.

Well, after around 6 years of tax-funded plenty, we approach record NHS deficits and a looming strike among NHS staff protesting against feeble government attempts at reform and cost effectiveness. We are spending the same or more on health than our European partners (although a much greater proportion of our money is Government provided). Why is it then that the outcome is so much worse? Maybe it wasn't the money after all?

For the first time in living memory, a brave right-of-centre government could actually challenge the conventional wisdom that the NHS itself is not part of the solution but the main problem in delivering a 21st century healthcare system to the British people. Sadly that does not appear to be an opportunity that is being taken.

The coming era of low health spending increases will be a fascinating but painful process to observe. Succesful politicians will be those who have something new to say......