"I know that some people believe that the free market will constantly provide superior service to anything run by the government. Unfortunately healthcare isn’t a ‘market’ and this market view of the NHS leads towards some very silly initiatives." I most certainly do think that free markets improve things. As does NHS Blog Doctor in some of his postings (things like GP Fundholding). I also agree that the NHS is not currently a market economy. And ought to be. What I think you’re missing in the (implied critique) of my views is that I wouldn’t describe this as a more free market method of delivering oxygen. Sure, it’s being provided by a private company....but it’s a monopoly. Nothing "free market" about that at all. Such free markets only work if there is competition. That’s the thing that spurs on the increased efficiency (and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a for profit company, a cooperative or whatever). Now, if there were two companies (or more) providing oxygen then the one that used this new method would never have any business. The one that used the old chemists road would have it all as it is obviously more efficient. What’s gone wrong here is not "free market" but the stupidity of the bureaucrats at the centre who think that "private company" is the same things as "free market". They’re not the same at all. Have two, four, 20 suppliers of oxygen and that would indeed be a free market and yes, I would expect to see things being done efficiently. A private monopoly? One of the few things actually known to be worse than having government do it.