Decentralised healthcare systems can help reduce regional inequalities in health provision

A number of European countries, including France, Italy, Spain, and the UK, have attempted to decentralise aspects of their healthcare systems in recent years, but what effect does this form of decentralisation have on care? Joan Costa-i-Font writes that decentralisation provides a potential mechanism for improving the equity of regional healthcare, without a significant additional cost to the public purse. However for this to occur, it is vital that decision-makers are made responsive to the demands of their citizens.