WAITING LISTS
There is a finite supply of healthcare available to service requirements. In a privately operated healthcare system, supply is controlled by a pricing mechanism; those being able to pay will often be treated immediately, and those who cannot afford to pay will be made to wait until they can afford it (maybe never). In a public system, such as the NHS, treatment and care is apportioned due to clinical need. Patients are prioritised into a queuing system. Theoretically, urgent cases will be supplied with instant care, whilst less life threatening cases will be prioritised further down the list. There is usually a fairly fast response to acute problems such as a heart condition or cancer, although some medical procedures, with less available resources to service them, may require a waiting time of several months.It is argued that it is far fairer to prioritise resources by clinical need than by ability to pay. After all, the wealthy always have the option of obtaining privately supplied healthcare, should they feel they do not wish to sit upon a waiting list. Wafting lists are localised, and patients are offered the choice of having medical procedures carried out in a different district, if the waiting list is shorter there. Currently the waiting list procedure is undergoing heavy review, with the goal of reducing all waiting lists to a maximum of 18 weeks; this is targeted to come into effect by December 2008.
Although often cited as the single biggest criticism of the NHS, the concept of the clinically driven waiting list is among its most valuable services. If administered correctly it should ensure that everyone will get the medical treatment they require in a timely fashion.