Thank you for contacting me about the suggestion of an independent inquiry into the future sustainability of the NHS by Lord Prior.
However, I would like to assure you that the Government will always provide treatment on the NHS, free at the point of use, regardless of ability to pay. It will not privatise the NHS. Having worked alongside the NHS for several years I see as it as an institution to be treasured and protected. As someone with a disabled mother, I have also seen the great work that the NHS has done to help people like her.
You may be interested to learn that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for NHS Productivity, Lord Prior, has stated, "There is at least no evidence to suggest that a tax-funded system is less effective or efficient than any other system."
You may be aware that the use of private contractors in the NHS was originally introduced by the previous Labour Government, and the NHS and independent providers have subsequently been working together for a number of years to provide good quality care to patients, which is the most important thing.
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 ensures that the NHS is properly regulated so that all services provided by the NHS, charitable groups or the private sector are focussed on what is best for patients.
Thanks to its long-term economic plan, the Government was able to increase funding for the NHS in the last Parliament and will do so again over the next five years - investing an extra £8 billion in real terms into the NHS to ensure it can deliver its plan for the future.
You may find it of interest to know that the use of private providers in the NHS represent around six pence in every pound the NHS spends, an increase of just one penny in the pound since 2010. Charities and social enterprises, such as Macmillan Nurses play an important role in the NHS, as they have done for many years.
Thank you again for contacting me and I can assure you I am committed to protecting the NHS.