LCS Dinner with Mark Simmonds MP Conservative Shadow Spokesman on Health

March 22, 2010

On 22 March LCS and Jefferies hosted a dinner at St Stephen's Club in Westminster at which Mark Simmonds MP was guest speaker. Thirty invited guests from banking, private equity and leading operators, heard at first hand the Conservatives' proposals for the health service and engaged in lively debate.  This was a private Chatham House Rules event but we can share with you the following points: if the political landscape changes after the election LCS’s understanding is that the following trends can be expected:

 - A health service free at the point of use; 

 - No structural reorganisation after the election; 

 - A patient-centred service; 

 - A ring-fenced budget for public healthcare and increasing focus on individuals taking responsibility for their well being; 

 - Full implementation of the purchaser/provider split and greater involvement of GPs in strategic commissioning 

 - More emphasis on public health and prevention, with room for innovative IT applications;

 - Input targets replaced by measurement of outcomes and improved management;

 - More sophisticated commissioning that allows for greater  innovation by the private sector and an end to the recent  ‘preferred provider' model;

 - Tariff reform;

 - An independent authority to oversee equitable allocation of budgets.

If you are interested in attending future LCS events, please send your details to info@lcsic.com