Assignment An academic report using key political approaches, relevant facts, evidence and analysis (1800 words) Title: Past and present approaches to healthcare provision

Assessment criteria 2.Understand the role of the State and private sector in provision of Health Care 2.1. Discuss past and present approaches to health care provision. 2.2. Evaluate the relationship between State, private and complementary medicine and voluntary care.

Social policy You will need to understand social policy in relation to welfare in the united Kingdom. There are competing philosophies for how welfare should be provided .

The Welfare State Before the war it was highlighted that many people were deprived and poor, Beveridge identified five issues that needed to be tackled to make a better Britain. The Welfare state was formed to tackle social problems Social Security National Health Service (Paid for through taxation) Free Education Housing Full Employment Disability benefit Job Seekers Allowance Pensions Child Benefit Free healthcare and education

Labour and Conservative BENEFITS Views on the Welfare State The two main political parties have different views on the role of the welfare state. Labour and Conservative National insurance benefits (contributory) – Paid for by national insurance sick pay. Non – contributory benefits - Income support Universal Benefits (TAX) - maternity pay NHS Means Tested Benefit – depends whether you have paid – pensions (stamp)

The Welfare State The Welfare state provided services that were funded and regulated by the state and free at the point of delivery (when and where needed) Paid workers paid into a national insurance and it was used when needed. The NHS is paid for by taxation. This is still in operation but there have been changes in relation to other providers.

Benefits Benefits Universal benefits Means-tested benefits Advantages Simple and cheap to administer No stigma attached Promotes the idea of citizenship Less money is paid out reducing welfare spending   Disadvantages Wastes money as many recipients do not need. Costly to administer People in need may not claim them due to social stigma or because they do not know about them People whose income is just above the threshold may be left in need. Examples Winter fuel Free school means chlid benefit

Alternative/complimentary provision Private Private provision is run for profit, they are not state funded but have to meet state regulations and individuals pay directly. Voluntary Charitable organisations provide extra services beyond the state i.e. hospices and Age Concern. They must conform to state regulations and may get some funding. Services are provided free or at a reduced cost. Informal This is help provided by friends and family, they provide services in addition. There is little or no state funding and usually free to the individual but does cost the provider (time, inability to work own cost)

Views of the Welfare State Labour View The state has a responsibility for the welfare of it’s citizens so: Give help to those who need it. Invest heavily in NHS. Key aims: to tackle child poverty, helping people back to work and cutting unemployment claims amongst young Increase tax as everyone has a duty to help others. Conservative view People should stand on their own feet Pay for their own welfare Insurance – education, welfare, healthcare, housing The benefits system encourages a life on benefit rather than work – creation of a dependency culture and deliberate avoidance of work. This is a waste of the country’s resources and leads to low aspirations. Cut benefits for those who will not seek employment.

Summary Political activism, social reform and national interest combined to produce the beginnings of Welfare reform. Social democratic government wanted to protect working and living conditions improve the health of the nation The Welfare State (1944) The aim was to produce a safety net from cradle to grave. It was anticipated that people would need less welfare as they became healthier and more well off. This did not occur