Well, for me, watching that programme last night reinforced in my mind why the NHS cannot continue as it is!
I am not sure that 'any form of privatisation' should be resisted, actually. BUT the Biggest Problem with privatisation is that we only now one model of it in the UK, as in: Big Shot strides in with his 'management team'. This largely consists of wide boys and schmoozers. Suddenly the current team of properly accredited, experienced workers are replaced with one or two who'd meet that required grade plus a bunch of semi-qualified chancers, many with dubious qualifications (often from semi-existent 'colleges' abroad) whom the few properly qualified will be paid £2 an hour more to 'supervise'- the 'staff' will be paid less than ever. Meanwhile, the (few) top dogs in the company, and of course the owners, will be raking it in.
You, as the 'punter', won't necessarily spot a difference because you're not qualified to do so. The Xray scan which they do so thoroughly - 3 or 4 times, in fact!- Is actually one scan repeated over and over because they got it wrong. The doctor's report will invariably suggest another form of imaging or diagnostic test which- Guess what! They also control. Bear in mind you'll think you're protected from rogue operators because, hey! This is the NHS BUT what will actually happen is that the government will instruct the registration body , the HPC, to accept lower qualifications as their mates who've won these huge contracts will want cheap labour, won't they?
I worked in Oz in the 'NHS' and then in a funny set-up they have there where the service (Xray in that instance) was privately owned and run but which imaged NHS style patients, ie 'for free'. I was shocked by what I saw. It employed all sorts who wouldn't have been employable in the 'NHS'. The standards were dire. Because extra payment-boxes could be ticked, everyone got 'additional views'. Everyone was fired with additional radiation they didn't need- and every report said 'We recommend this patient is referred on for further imaging which can be accessed via... (US!)'. Which duly happened. And I cannot state that I'm sure golf trips for the referrers didn't 'feature' along the line....
SO- my point is, privatisation isn't necessarily a bad thing but it has to be morally, responsibly and accountably managed. I would readily concede that you'd be surprised how much 'better' care became (ok, ok, how much better people perceivetheir care to be!! Important distinction) were one to incentivise the staff by getting the patients to rate their service, and the staff to be bonus'ed accordingly!!