A situation getting dire is not always a bad thing as it can often lead to refore or a pay up or lose it question being put to government and the electorate. This is in fact the problem. As situation gets bad governments throw just enough money at it to pull it back from the brink of collapse but not enough to solve problems long terms.

There will be more outsourcing (strange really since long term it increases costs). I can see the day where those earning above a certain amount are required to have insurance private or public. Most would go for private because it costs less. This then reduces healthcare cost to the government. Those with government insurance go to private hospitals which then bill the government. This is indeed the end of the NHS but not free healthcare to those who need it.

Personally I'd like to see healthcare coming under local government control. Every town and city with a hospital paid for by government grant, local taxes, sponsors, private patients and insurance plus the sale of health related services and products,

I dont know much about the junior doctor dispute but am unwilling to point finger at government when a key issue is working at weekends and suyrveys showing more chance of dying if sick at weekends. I would like to see flexible hours and contracts requirements to put in so many unsocialble hours in order to get qualifications. Government gives rank and privilege, workers give their labour.