subject: Effects of the NHS Structure Alteration [print this page] The government has announced a significant alteration in the budget structure for the NHS. While the NHS budget is protected from taking major cuts by the coalition government, structure modification seems to be the route in which decision makers plan to enhance business services. The new structure involves shifting budget responsibilities out of the hands of managers and into the hands of General Physicians, which can be argued, nevertheless, these vast budgets are meant for. A critical amendment, such as budget re-allocation, to an organization of this caliber, will obviously create an upheaval, but which predictions can be taken to the bank and which predictions may prove harmful come execution?
The bottom line for this transformation in budget structure has been declared the patient. It is believed that patients will receive a more well-rounded health care plan with sole responsibility, including financial, in the hands of the health care provider. Objectively, a GP knows the exact resources needed to provide the best care possible to their patients and is the technical source for currently placed managers to make informed financial allocation decisions. However, with the current structure, GP's have not had to develop a sense for the business side of the picture. GP's typically fight for where they believe the money should go based on an individual view from the field and make their request. These requests come from multiple physicians from various departments that are not used to considering each others, perhaps conflicting, agendas. Will a GP from the field have the administration proficiency to properly serve several districts of care?
When considering all of the possible effects of placing budget allocation into the hands of the physicians, another source of trepidation for many is the change in dynamic of the trickle down flow of business transactions and the heightened concerns for an indecent conflict of interest. This is in reference to the assistance that will be required by GPs in order to manage existing field work on top of new monetary responsibilities. This will likely be outsourced to smaller companies, who face issues like pleasing shareholders who may not carry an agenda that places patients first, defying the entire intent for this reform. Also, what used to be one big decision and contract across all NHS members will now be a multitude of small decisions. This could mean a boost in the market position in the health field all together and have positive implications toward driving costs down. The decision has been made, hopefully with caution and awareness, leaving heath care patients with improved care strategies and resources.
