Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A prescription for unfairness
NHS CHARGING OUTDATED AND UNFAIR, SAY LIB DEMS
Most NHS prescription charges in England should be scrapped and applied to "ineffective treatments" instead, according to the Association of Directors of Public Health. They said rising demands on the NHS will lead to more rationing. Doctors' representatives said more NHS care should be rationed, but they were against charging. The British Medical Association is currently drawing up proposals about what the NHS should be providing and will discuss the issue at its annual conference later in the year. [BBC]
Cllr. John Beanse commented: "When in opposition, Labout attacked each successive rise in prescription charges. Yet there have been many rises since Labour came to power. Politicians like to talk about an NHS "free at the point of delivery". In fact with one prescrition item now costing £6.65, this is far from reality and there are other charges, such as for eye and dental treatment also to consider. The system is confusing, outdated and unfair on the many people who rely on regular medication and tests. Time and again, decisions over what types of care should be offered by the NHS have been secretive and hidden. We urgently need an open and honest debate about charging in the NHS."
Cllr. John Beanse commented: "When in opposition, Labout attacked each successive rise in prescription charges. Yet there have been many rises since Labour came to power. Politicians like to talk about an NHS "free at the point of delivery". In fact with one prescrition item now costing £6.65, this is far from reality and there are other charges, such as for eye and dental treatment also to consider. The system is confusing, outdated and unfair on the many people who rely on regular medication and tests. Time and again, decisions over what types of care should be offered by the NHS have been secretive and hidden. We urgently need an open and honest debate about charging in the NHS."
# posted by John Beanse @ 4:37 PM 
