In a heated parliamentary debate on Tuesday, MPs uncovered evidence that private sector involvement in the NHS is far greater than previously believed, with figures indicating up to 30% of services are already privatized, not the widely accepted 7%.

Expert Evidence Challenges Previous Assumptions

The debate, chaired by Labour MP Richard Burgon, featured new expert analysis that contradicted the official narrative. Burgon called for Health Secretary Wes Streeting to ‘listen to experts’ and reconsider his ‘disastrous’ plans to further privatize the NHS.

Burgon accused a ‘Mandelsonian wing’ of the Labour Party of pushing for privatization, arguing that it would harm both patients and NHS workers. ‘Privatisation is disastrous for patients and for workers. It’s not the way forward,’ he said.

The findings were presented in a report co-authored by campaigners Keep Our NHS Public and the 99% Organisation. The report, published alongside the debate, highlights that 30% of NHS services are privately funded, with some specialties, such as ophthalmology and dentistry, having over 50% of treatments paid for privately.

Testimonies Highlight Risks of Privatisation

MPs including Rachel Maskell, Andy McDonald, and Neil Duncan-Jordan listened to testimonies from health experts, NHS staff, and economists. They described the current state of NHS privatization as ‘disastrous’ and warned of the long-term consequences of expanding private sector involvement.

Mark E Thomas, co-author of the report, emphasized that the commonly cited 7% figure was misleading. ‘We need to be thinking 30%,’ he said, adding that in certain areas, more than half of treatments are already privately funded.

Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan echoed these concerns, stating, ‘We need to revive our institutions. This isn’t something new. There is a clear privatisation of the service happening.’

Duncan-Jordan also highlighted the issue of consultants leaving the NHS to work in the private sector. ‘They have benefitted from the public service for their training. We should be getting kickbacks for this, a sort of levy,’ he said.

Experts presenting evidence included Nuffield Trust’s Mark Dayan, who warned of the dangers of government reliance on the private finance initiative (PFI). He said the PFI ‘always makes [projects] more expensive’ for the state, adding that it often leads to long-term financial burdens.

Other contributors included KONP co-chair Dr Tony O’Sullivan, retired consultant ophthalmologist Dr Colin Hutchinson, and Homerton hospital Unison representative Jordan Rivera.

What’s Next for NHS Privatisation Debate

The debate has sparked calls for a broader campaign against NHS privatization, with Burgon urging MPs to take a stronger stance. ‘A lot of MPs are only clocking this now. We need to shine a light on Wes Streeting’s plans for the NHS,’ he said.

Scottish Labour has also weighed in, calling for an investigation into the Lord Advocate over alleged breaches of the ministerial code. The group has accused the government of moving too quickly on privatization without proper oversight.

With upcoming decisions on NHS funding and reform on the horizon, the debate is expected to intensify. The findings presented in the report could influence future policy discussions and shape the direction of the NHS in the coming years.

According to the report, the current level of private sector involvement in the NHS is significantly higher than previously thought, with the implications for patient care, funding, and long-term sustainability remaining a critical concern for policymakers and the public alike.