| Summary: | In the UK, healthcare is one the most important public services provided to its tax payers. It accounts for a large proportion of public investments, especially over the last decade. Before the onset of the global debt crisis in 2007, healthcare expenditure in the UK accounted for over £118million of UK wealth, which came to 8.4% of UK GDP (Qaiser, 2011). By 2009, healthcare spending rose to £130million (9.8% of UK GDP). Despite the debt crisis, healthcare investments rose, but there were questions surrounding the effectiveness of these investments on healthcare productivity and performance in the UK during this time of austerity and economic uncertainty.
The relationship between the UK economy, decision-makers and healthcare productivity is very complex, broad and beyond the scope of one solitary study. However, this study worked on assessing key external factors in the UK economy that influenced its public healthcare provision. The study commenced by analysing macroeconomic factors like population change, healthcare demand, and change in UK GDP (and debt status). The analysis then focused down into performance mediators at a regional level, then finally analysed the importance of allocative efficiency of decision-makers on UK healthcare performance.
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