03.09.12
NHS rationing warnings ‘rejected’ by Government
The Government has dismissed a warning by the new leader of the BMA that rationing access to procedures was putting patients’ health at risk.
Dr Mark Porter said that pressure to save £20bn by 2015 meant that rationing could increase, leading to the NHS no longer providing a comprehensive service.
In an interview with the Guardian, he said: “You see it happening in examples now, but it’s when it becomes service-wide in a few years time, if the current policies continue, that the population will notice in the wider sense.
“It’s no longer a comprehensive service. We can see the effect of people to whom we have to say ‘I’m sorry, this treatment is no longer available’.”
And shadow health secretary Andy Burnham, said: “Doctors warned David Cameron that his reforms would lead to increased rationing of treatments, an accelerating postcode lottery and widespread privatisation of services. The Prime Minister arrogantly waved them away but, as Dr Porter identifies, these fears are fast becoming a reality.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “If patients need treatment, they should get it when they want it and where they want it.
“Last year we made it clear that it is unacceptable for the NHS to impose blanket bans for treatment on the basis of costs. That is why we banned PCTs from putting caps on the number of people who could have certain operations.
“The NHS is treating more people and we are increasing the NHS budget in real terms – investing an extra £12.5bn in the NHS over the course of this parliament.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]