NHS trusts attempt to entice private patients

Following a decision by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to abolish the cap limiting the proportion of total revenue that hospitals could generate from private income, NHS trusts are beginning to cash in.

According to research carried out by the Guardian, many NHS trusts have already established plans to build new wings to cater for private patients, set up hospitals abroad and offer an airport-to-hospital bed service in order to lure medical tourists.

Hospitals such as the Royal Brompton and Harefield now advertise a “personalised world-class service” and offer patients a city guide, suggesting trips to the “high-end shopping facilities” of nearby Sloane Street and Harrods, in an attempt to bring medical tourism to Britain.

The abolition of this cap marks an attempt by the coalition government to combat the £20 billion black hole which has emerged in NHS budgets. In effect, the aim is for private patients to subsidise public health care in Britain.

The cap which was originally implemented by the labour government limited the proportion of total revenue that hospitals could generate from private income to 2%. The exception to this cap was the Royal Marsden, a leading cancer hospital, which had a cap of 31% and as a result, an annual private income of more than £40 million. The Health Secretary has now labelled this hospital “the model in his new-look NHS” (Guardian)

Many believe that these reforms will generate a system whereby private patients receive preferential treatment and as a result, NHS patients will have to endure even longer waiting lists.

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