Inequalities in Provision
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 5.3.2
Inequalities in Healthcare Provision in the UK
Inequalities in healthcare provision relates to the availability of services and if they are available in all areas and to everyone who requires them.
Provisions
- NHS provision of healthcare can vary between different geographical locations, such as between regions, towns and hospitals.
Regional differences
- Healthcare is often less accessible and of a lower quality in working class areas and there are few GPs.
- In contrast, provision is generally better in the South of England.
Funding
- NHS funding policy means that hospitals get the most attention and funding, often at the expense of other services such as mental health and specialised needs for certain groups, including the disabled, adults with learning difficulties and minority ethnic groups.
Private healthcare
- Private healthcare offers advantages over the NHS, but is expensive and, therefore, unavailable to the most economically disadvantaged.
- Private healthcare creates inequality in healthcare provision, as the middle classes are better placed to be able to pay for it than the working classes.
Test yourself on Inequalities in Provision
Where is healthcare provision generally better in the UK?