Eight out of ten doctors are concerned about private companies profiting from the National Health Service, according to a poll from the British Medical Association and Doctors.net.uk.

 Let’s overlook the issues that arise from online polls such as this – such as a highly skewed sample – and ask a simple question. How are GP services in the NHS delivered?
 
By independent contractors, is the answer. GPs are paid by the NHS for treating patients, subtract the cost of providing that service, and what is left is their income. How does this differ from giving contracts to private companies which don’t happen to be run by GPs?
 
Of the respondents to the survey, I am told, 29 per cent were GPs. Does it ever occur to them that it’s hypocritical to attack a contractual system they have already turned to such advantage? And a public sector pension at the end! Nice work if you can get it.