This report from the BBC raises some interesting issues about the NHS. Much of the focus of the NHS debate has been around the divide between public and private and who provides the care. As a patient it should not really matter who provides as long as it is in a timely manner. The NHS has not always provided the care in a timely manner and in this case the women decided to go get her operation in France. I am aware of a Berrylands resident who also did something similar to get a hip replacement and went to Turkey for the operation.Should they be able to claim back their costs from the NHS? It appears that the EU ruling is heading towards saying "Yes". I suppose the argument is that the NHS is in essence a system for "financing" healthcare and thus where it is provided ought to be for decisions between the patient and the provider. If you view it this way then where the care is provided becomes less of an idealogical issue and whether it is a public, private or foreign hosiptal ought not to matter.
Update: (9.05am) The courts have just announced that she cannot have her costs refunded but the courts have oaved the way for making it easier for operations to be done abroad by making comments around the issue of the Government's waiting list targets.
6 comments:
It is a shame that the NHS has become a two-tier system - under both successive Labour & Tory Governments. None of the parties have the courage to do what's right and only use the service as a political football. No wonder people go abroad for treatment when they see others who have not contributed a penny, cream the system for all its worth. It is deplorable that some doctors are earning in excess of £1/4Million a year - is anyone feeling better for it?
And don't you think Kevin that it is scandalous that we should even be thinking of going private or abroad for treatment when that is exactly what the NHS is there for?
Yes I do but that should not stop the ill having the right to take what action they need to get treatment when the NHS fails them.
So why don't you advocate that the system be taken by its ears and changed permanantly for the good instead of walking away from the problem and proposing alternative remedies from other providors?
The NHS is doomed to fail,expectations still held following its creation are simply unattainable.
Cradle to grave is a noble thought and when folks died in their sixties and drugs and other treatments were frankly primitive by todays standards,it worked.
The answer is to start again with a combination of public and private finance using all resources and embracing private insurance.
The only target worth having is zero waiting time,you can then dispense with 100,000 administrators salaries and pension commitments.
Stop all ridiculous gender assignment,reassignment,cosmetic and IVF treatment.
rgds mojoman
I think you got your facts wrong Kevin. The court actually ruled that NHS patients should be reimbursed for medical treatment abroad if they face an "undue delay" in the UK.
Whether she now persues her case for compensation remains to be seen but she has vowed to give the money to charity if she wins.
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