title: Competition-based reform of the National Health Service in England: a one-way street?
abstract: The Conservative-led government in the United Kingdom is embarking on massive changes to the National Health Service in England. These changes will create a competitive market in both purchasing and provision. Although the opposition Labour Party has stated its intention to repeal the legislation when it regains power, this may be difficult because of provisions of competition law derived from international treaties. Yet there is an alternative, illustrated by the decision of the devolved Scottish government to reject competitive markets in health care.
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attaran
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hervey
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKee
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004465:Economic Competition / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004739:England; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*