The UK health and social care select committee has today released its report on the NHS Long term plan: process for legislative change. In the report, the committee recognises that collaboration rather than competition is a better way for the NHS to respond to challenges. Whilst competition rules add cost and complexity, choice and competition can help raise standards and help innovation. Importantly, the committee concluded that the NHS should not become a monopoly as this would not be in the interest of patients. Sharon Lamb was pleased to give oral evidence and participate in the discussion. Sharon’s reflections on the importance of choice and the need to protect the market are recognised by the committee and included in the report: “It is not enough to say that patients have a constitutional right to choice if you do not also allow the market to provide.”
