Forum Brief: Stakeholder Healthcare

A new report published today calls for a stakeholder healthcare system.

The Norwich Union Healthcare and National Economic Research Associates report is being launched today through a supplement in New Statesman.

The emphasis of the report is to build on the conceptual framework presented in the first report and demonstrate how stakeholder healthcare could work in practice

Forum Response: Norwich Union

Tim Baker, commercial director for Norwich Union Healthcare, said: "While Derek Wanless has suggested that the NHS needs an 80 per cent increase in real terms funding by 2013, we believe it is questionable whether these increases can be raised by taxation alone.

"Stakeholder Health Care builds on the strongest features of the current system, but by creating greater transparency, choice and competition, there are bigger incentives to improve quality and tap into people's ability to pay more for their healthcare."

Forum Response: Association of British Insurers

Richard Walsh, Head of Health Insurance at the ABI, said: "The government has already recognised the importance of innovative funding if we are to deliver European standards of healthcare in the UK.

"The private sector, including insurers, already make a substantial contribution to funding and provision. They could do much more, without undermining equity, if the government were to open up a wide-ranging debate.

"We need to explore how the UK mixed economy of public and private funding of healthcare can work together in the future to deliver both equity and patient choice.

"Many more of our members are now examining how their funding models could help the government meet its healthcare objectives.

"The ABI is keen to see discussion with government and all who have a passion about the healthcare of the nation on how public and private funding can together help build an NHS fit for the 21st century."