Sauce for the gander?

What is the consumer view of a ban on commercial medical practices?

The odd legal eyebrow may be raised by today's Scottish Government announcement of a consultation on proposals to ban commercial interests from owning general medical practices.

We are told that this is to further the Government's vision of a mutual NHS underpinned by the values of public service, and to underpin public confidence in the advice and treatment offered.

In the legal profession, of course, we are just beginning to live with the idea that availability and quality of service, public benefits such as access to justice, and the consumer ideal of a choice of competing services, should be maximised by just such a freedom. Of course, unlike medical practices, legal firms are not part of a state-run service. On the other hand, as I understand it, the policy for some time has been to encourage an internal market within the NHS in order to control costs.

So where does the consumer lobby stand on this one? Wouldn't it make sense to encourage a free market in order to improve choice and quality? Why should doctors any more than lawyers feel themselves under pressure to tailor their advice according to the interests of outside shareholders? Will we see a Which? super-complaint to the OFT if this proposal goes through? I think we should be told.