**CANCELLED** London Thinks: Thinking the Unthinkable – Privatising the NHS

Due to unforeseen circumstances this event has had to be cancelled, but we are looking to hold it at a future date.

In this provocative and timely talk Tim Knox – Director of the renowned right-wing Think Tank, the Centre for Policy Studies – will address the future of the NHS head-on. Is it possible to profoundly rethink our emotional support of the NHS and to bring about a revolution in health and social care in the UK?

Politicians from all the main political parties – other than the left – have embraced the need for greater private sector involvement in our health and social care services.  Most politicians understand that these services are in need of top-rate management, discipline and levels of investment – otherwise our ageing population and unhealthy lifestyles, proliferation of chronic diseases and increasing expectations will send these critical services into melt-down.

Even though UK ranks in the WHO’s top 20 of the world’s best healthcare systems providers. The outcomes for those with lower incomes are particularly poor. So, should it be appropriate to consider whether there are other models which we can consider? After all, the staunchest defenders of the NHS must admit that it is a system that is so admired that no other country has copied it.

If greater private involvement is the answer, can innovative regulatory and financial structures be envisaged that overcome understandable concerns of the profit-motive driving such a basic need in all of us? Can new technology be used to promote, via financial incentives, healthy lifestyles and reduce expensive medical treatment? Can we handle end-of-life scenarios a whole lot better? Should the appointment of a Royal Commission on the long-term future of the NHS be the first step in considering the need and purpose of reform? And are any changes required to garner at least some cross-party support and some long-term thinking?

Come and join in on the debate at Conway Hall.

This event will be chaired by Nick Cohen.

Before his appointment as Director of the Centre for Policy Studies, Tim Knox was the Editor at the CPS – a position in which he was responsible for publishing papers by every Conservative leader since Mrs Thatcher as well as by hundreds of leading academics and opinion formers. Before joining the CPS, he was  a successful business leader in Budapest and London.

Nick Cohen is a journalist and commentator for the Independent and the Observer, where he has been a columnist since 1996, the Spectator, New Statesman and many other media outlets. He has published two collections of journalism, Cruel Britannia and Waiting for the Etonians. Pretty Straight Guys was a full length book on Britain in the Blair bubble. Two other full length books followed: What’s Left? on reactionary strains in left-wing politics, and You Can’t Read This Book on 21st century censorship.

Running time 90 minutes. No break. (Talk 45mins, Q&As until close).

Doors 18:45. Event Start 19:30