News
Health news update
Daily Telegraph (10 May 2008)
NHS protesters turn up the heat
Health minister Lord Darzi, whose NHS review may lead to the closure or merger of many hospital departments, has said that all changes would be subject to consultation. Campaigners see this as an opportunity to defeat proposals.
Guardian (9 May 2008)
NHS reforms rule out closure of hospitals before next election
Lord Darzi's plans for a major shake-up of the NHS will be subject to five tests, he has said, including a provision that services will not be withdrawn until a better replacement is in place. Public consultation and support from NHS staff are also conditions for the changes.
See full article at:
http:/ / www.guardian.co.uk/ society/ 2008/ may/ 09/ nhs.health
Health Service Journal (8 May 2008)
Community service tariff opens way to private provision
Mark Britnell, director general of commissioning at the Department of Health, has indicated that a tariff for community services may be developed, allowing private providers and foundation trusts to offer services currently provided by PCTs.
Full article:
The Department of Health is to develop a tariff for community services - paving the way for foundation trusts and the private sector to offer services until now provided by primary care trusts. DH director general of commissioning and system management Mark Britnell said that NHS primary care providers had been lobbying the department for the tariff. They felt it would better reward their increased workload as care shifted out of hospitals. Mr Britnell said, "We are hoping that something will be included in [junior health minister Lord Darzi's] primary and community care strategy." The DH is committed to developing a tariff for £15bn a year of community services. These make up around 20% of a primary care trust's spend. Work is already under way to quantify inputs and outcomes, but a final tariff setting out typical episodes of care and their price could be two or three years away. News of the DH's commitment was welcomed by potential alternative providers. Clinovia chief executive Robbie Burns told HSJ: "Any form of tariff will be an enormous benefit to delivering care closer to home because the independent and third sector can look at the tariff and see where they can provide services for better value for money." Maggie Ioannou acknowledged the threat of competition from foundation trusts and the private sector but said it did not worry her. But she warned that private providers would not be interested in the most vulnerable patients cared for by community services as there was no profit to be gained. "The PCT as commissioner has an absolute role to play in stopping the private sector cherry picking," she said.
http://www.hsj.co.uk/news/2008/05/tariff_for_community_services_will_open_the_way_to_private_provision.html
Independent (6 May 2008
GPs lose right to dispense drugs in rural shake-up
GPs may lose drug dispensing rights to pharmicists, if government proposals go ahead. Doctors argue that this will lead to a loss of practice income which will in turn erode patient services. Government plans for the privatisation of primary care are suspected.