Author Archives: Elliot Bidgood

The Independent View: Could Ireland’s emerging healthcare reforms test David Laws’ NHIS vision?

By Elliot Bidgood | Tue 17th December 2013 - 9:16 am

Nearly a decade ago now, David Laws MP raised the idea of evolving the NHS into a continental-style universal ‘National Health Insurance Scheme’ (NHIS), where healthcare would be progressively funded from dedicated income contributions, individuals could choose insurers and everyone would be entitled to a comprehensive package of set treatments within a decentralised but heavily regulated system. It was a bold and interesting proposal, which for better or worse helped define the 2004 Orange Book in eyes of many, though it has perhaps also been misunderstood and straw-manned to a degree.

However, besides substantive criticisms and the understandable sensitivities that talk …

Posted in The Independent View | Tagged civitas, david laws and NHS | 19 Comments

The Independent View: The merits of Swedish-style localism in improving UK healthcare

By Elliot Bidgood | Tue 22nd October 2013 - 9:04 am

Debate about NHS reform has been intense in 2013 as the service has entered its historic 65th year and the need for greater accountability has become apparent in response to lapses in care such as those at Mid Staffordshire.

In light of this, it is important to learn from what is already established practice abroad and one of the best examples is Sweden, a nation with a word-class healthcare system with a history and ethos closely comparable with our own revered health service. It was developed after the war by a reforming social democratic government, it is financed from general taxation, it is universally accessible and it was traditionally provided by the state. On closer inspection, however, there are significant differences in both design and performance which may be instructive for the UK.

Posted in The Independent View | Tagged civitas, health care and sweden | 11 Comments