Section A - Private Sector

Question 1

Define what is meant by a private organisation.

Answer 1

Any company or service which is set up outside of government control which aims to make a profit.

Question 2

Give an example of a private organisation.

Answer 2

Superdrug, Boots Pharmacy, BUPA, a physiotherapist, SKiN cosmetic surgery, herbal medicine, counselling, meals on wheels, care homes, home equipment for disabilities, private dental care, opticians, IVF clinics.

Question 3

How is the private sector funded?

Answer 3

By paying for the service yourself, private insurance and now because a MEOC it is possible to get private treatment funded by the statutory sector.

Question 4

Identify some reasons as to why the private sector has boomed.

Answer 4

• Legislation: recent government plans have deliberately encouraged independent sector provision.
• Demographic factors: an increasingly older population causes more and more need for health and social care.
• A rise in women in paid work: there is a greater need for child care services.
• The mixed economy of care: in some areas there is poor (or no) statutory sector provision and so the private sector offers alternatives for people.
• Affluence: people and society are generally richer and can afford their care.

Question 5

Identify the strengths of the private sector.

Answer 5

• Accessible to everyone.
• Private providers can provide more choice.
• Better resourced and better facilities than state services.
• Free from the bureaucracy unlike state services.
• Private providers are generally more flexible and can respond more quickly than state services in providing services.
• Takes burden off the state and compliments existing provision.
• Demography - ageing population means that there needs to be more resources to meet the needs and reduce the strain on the state sector.

Question 6

Identify the drawbacks of the private sector.

Answer 6

• Creates inequality.
• Creates a two tier system - those who can’t afford it may have to wait or do without.
• Only interested in profit making.
• Their actual range of provision is limited - only interested in services that make money. This tends to be specialist, lifestyle related and less complex forms of care.
• Makes a persons ability to pay a condition as to whether they get treatment.