Safe in their hands?

[David Johnson]

As we all know the NHS is safe in the hands of Dave, Boy George and that other bloke, wassissname, Clegg.

And it would appear that the wizzo idea of GP commissioning is already providing dividends. At least to the management of the Haxby Health Centre in York which has 20,000 patients.

The "managing partner" of the Health Centre made excellent use of the centre's medical records to send a letter to patients awaiting minor operations, telling them that such operations were no longer available on the NHS.

However the letter did point out - do not worry, you can pay for the operation and provided a list of private providers, including a private practice setup by, yes you've guessed it, the partners at Haxby Health Centre!!!!!!

One person's pain is another person's financial opportunity! Campaigners have long been concerned that as GPs are more involved in commissioning care under government reform plans, they would be able to reduce NHS provision to increase their private income.

THe local primary trust denied that the operations referred to in the letter were no longer provided by the NHS.

Get those operations done quick, forumites. Otherwise, you may find yourself watching a government sponsored TV series called "DIY Operations". Can't afford that mole removal? This is how you do it yourself with a hand mirror and a set of tools from B&Q. Alternatively get old Mrs Jones from next door to do it for you. It's the Big Society in action, you know.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/ ... tions-york

Keep taking the vitamin tablets
D

[pornoshop]

I don't see the problem with this at all - its not available on the NHS so they are advised where/how they can get the operation.

[Ned]

the operations WERE available on the NHS, then procedures were taken off the treatment list and offered privately instead.

[David Johnson]

"I don't see the problem with this at all - its not available on the NHS so they are advised where/how they can get the operation."

Please re-read my post. In the post it states

"THe local primary trust denied that the operations referred to in the letter were no longer provided by the NHS"

Basically the Primary trust required a letter justifying the medical grounds for the operation.

Clearly with the roll out of GP commissioning, there is potentially a conflict of interest here between doctor with a NHS hat who also wears a private practice hat. And given that the GP commissioning groups will be responsible for managing the budget, there is clearly an opportunity for sharp practice where operations provided by a doctor's private practice replace minor operations like in-growing toenails on the list available via your GP.

We have seen similar practices exposed in NHS dentistry. Dentist says there is no money left for root canal treatment on NHS. However the patient can have it done for ?550 privately via the practice.

Cheers
D

[number 6]

change the famous george bush senior line""its the economy stupid" to "its the NHS stupid" and you will see why the tories will lose the next election

[frankthring]

I know I am ancient David, sometimes it alarms me, and Mother was a
doctor, but when I think back to 1950`s, good old Attlee`s magnificent
attempt of a Welfare State that would give us free medicine from the cradle
to the grave, when I think of the free dentistry and eye care, the free milk
and very cheap and nourishing school dinners (in state schools, both
primary and secondary) for kids, but above all the excellent "cottage
hospitals", state funded, in every town in the country - and then look at
today ! What a fuck up ! Successive governments are to blame, especially
that arch-bitch, Thatcher, but a great dream of free and fair health has been
raped !!

[David Johnson]

Well said Mr. Thring.

I suspect that unless the House of Lords steps in to hold up/edit this bill, the British public will end up with the NHS being changed beyond recoginition.

Cheers
D

[number 6]

Dont hold your breath as regards the Lord,most of them are tories.

[David Johnson]

Well, I think some of the Lords are pretty independent in their thinking and unlike the Commons a significant number are "crossbenchers"

This article seems to provide a little cause for optimism

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healt ... -vote.html

Cheers
D

[number 6]

RIP NHS