Health care. It's something we all depend on to a greater or lesser extent throughout our lives. Advancements in science and technology have been driven by an insatiable desire to cure those things that ail us, and in most cases, this has led to increasingly better outcomes for patients. This in turn has driven demand for care and created expectations of access for all, regardless of affordability. These are among the factors that have contributed to the development a highly complex behemoth of an industry, particularly in systems dominated by private sector provision.

The natural cycle of health care is one of continuous improvement, and this comes at a cost. In addition to research, development and new technologies, there are massive overheads associated with building, supplying and maintaining specialized facilities for the delivery of care. There are layers of cost built in to manage risks, whether that be to indemnify providers, or supplement the high cost of care to patients.