How to prevent the NHS becoming a poor service for poor people

Cuts to the NHS over the past decade have led to growing waiting lists for NHS and the growth of a two-tier health system.

A two-tier health system is one where those who are able to pay out of their own pockets for treatment in the private sector are able to access healthcare faster than poorer people.

This worrying phenomenon can be seen in areas like dentistry, hip operations, IVF care and social care.

This shift risks the NHS becoming a poor service for poor people, undermining the founding principle of the NHS which aims to provide comprehensive care for all irrespective of ability to pay.

The Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) a leading independent research think-tank whose high-profile work has been covered on the BBC News, The Guardian, The Sunday Times and BBC Newsnight will present their latest research into how and why a two-tier healthcare system is developing in England.

This will be followed by a panel discussion chaired by CHPI Trustee and BBC Broadcaster Dr Guddi Singh about what can be done to address this issue.

The panel will include experts with expertise from the NHS, social care and public health and will include questions and insights from audience members.

Following the panel discussion there will and opportunity to carry on the conversation with other audience members with drinks, nibbles and music provided.

Host or Publisher Centre for Health and the Public Interest