A review of the future of the private sector in medical care is appropriate at this time. The finance involved in private medical care is at present a small fraction of the cost of the National Health Service, but the demand for it is increasing as judged by the rising membership of private insurance schemes. In this country, a shift of the balance in favour of private medical practice could have advantages to patient and doctor and to the National Health Service. The subjects of private health care and health insurance schemes require fresh and constructive thinking.
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