Contributors: Sylvia Davidson, Paul Evans Key points In our view the evidence shows that,  Charges impact upon the poorest the most They can deter people who need it from seeking medical help  Charges need to be significant to cover the cost  People in the UK use less healthcare and need to be encouraged to seek

Contributor: John Lister The NHS was set up to be a universal health service, covering the whole population, providing care according to clinical need, not ability to pay, and funded from general taxation.  Resources have never matched the level of demand for care, and there has always been a waiting list for some forms of

Contributor: John Lister Every healthcare system worldwide, including the NHS, will have to deal with rising costs over the coming years due to a rise in chronic disease and in the proportion of older people in the population. These escalating costs always prompt the question - can we afford the NHS? Most often from people