Doctors should be running hospitals – here’s why

As per every election since its inception in 1948, the NHS is a political football; this time it is being kicked around by seven teams. One wonders when the UK will learn from its European neighbours about the benefits of depoliticised healthcare.

Much of the debate has focused on the issue of more money. But is that really what is needed? As a percentage of GDP, the NHS receives 9.3%. This is similar to Norway, marginally more than Australia, Iceland Italy, Sweden and Finland who are all around the 9% mark, and a couple of points less than the highest European spenders, Germany and France at around 11.5% GDP. These are not big differences.