Acquiescence and opposition: the private finance initiative in the National Health Service

Drawing upon interview data collected in late 1998, this article examines the absence of effective opposition to the introduction of the private finance initiative (PFI) in the UK National Health Service (NHS). Despite the political sensitivity of radical change in the NHS, the involvement of big business and the problems associated with PFI, the policy has met with limited opposition from public and politicians. Whilst several Trust managers and those working in Community Health Councils expressed serious reservations about PFI in health care, the belief prevailed that no alternative existed. The public sector union, Unison, faces daunting obstacles in its campaign of opposition and PFI looks set to remain policy for the foreseeable future.