Exporting NHS expertise overseas for commercial benefit

Can't decide how significant is today's story about the establishment of a new Gov't agency to link world renowned British hospitals with countries overseas. There has certainly been a lot of hot air expended over the issue. I suppose the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowen could be considered an example of a world class Foundation Trust hospital which has an international reputation. So this issue could have a local interest for me.

In principle, I can see the potential - assuming all that is said about the high quality of our NHS is justified. Its not even a new idea. It actually builds on the last Labour Gov'ts plans to establish what former Sec. of State for Health, Andy Burnham's referred to as 'NHS Global' - the aim being to exploit the NHS's commercial potential overseas. But I certainly need to know more about how such a plan would work in detail before committing to it wholeheartedly. Seems to me that the private sector or overseas Gov't would need to put up the finance. Not sure why some are so outraged by the idea.  No-one objects to the free movement of doctors and nurses across international boundaries, (our NHS would collapse without it) so why be concerned about the free movement of expertise - which is what we are talking about.

Today's announcement certainly puts an interesting perspective on Danny Boyle's tribute to the NHS at the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Today that looks like a massive marketing exercise, playing to a watching world. Not sure that I can see this proposal taking off in a big way though, but could be wrong about this. All we cannot allow is for it to be a distraction from delivering quality healthcare services in the UK. No reason why in should do. But I do anticipate bucketloads of mindless scaremongering. On balance I'm rather supportive of the proposal.