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NHS top-up care ban under review NHS top-up care ban under review
(21 minutes later)
The policy of penalising patients who top up their NHS care with private treatment is to be reviewed, the government says. The policy of penalising patients who top up their NHS care with private treatment is to be reviewed in England, the government says.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has asked cancer tsar Professor Mike Richards to look at the issue.Health Secretary Alan Johnson has asked cancer tsar Professor Mike Richards to look at the issue.
Some patients have found themselves banned from NHS care after paying for cancer drugs not available on the NHS.Some patients have found themselves banned from NHS care after paying for cancer drugs not available on the NHS.
The government had argued that such a system of co-payments would create a two-tier service.The government had argued that such a system of co-payments would create a two-tier service.
But it has now agreed to reconsider the issue and has given Professor Richards until October to report back.But it has now agreed to reconsider the issue and has given Professor Richards until October to report back.
It is a very welcome decision. The ban on co-payments is cruel John Baron, Tory MP Q&A: NHS co-paymentsIt is a very welcome decision. The ban on co-payments is cruel John Baron, Tory MP Q&A: NHS co-payments
Currently, anyone who pays for any form of private treatment - even drugs unavailable on the NHS - can be barred from the normal package of NHS care.Currently, anyone who pays for any form of private treatment - even drugs unavailable on the NHS - can be barred from the normal package of NHS care.
The rule applies across the UK and the devolved governments are expected to clarify their positions soon.
The issue has come to a head in recent months as a number of cancer patients have been banned from receiving NHS care after topping up their treatment.The issue has come to a head in recent months as a number of cancer patients have been banned from receiving NHS care after topping up their treatment.
Doctors and patients groups have opposed the stance taken and now the government has decided to act on the concerns.Doctors and patients groups have opposed the stance taken and now the government has decided to act on the concerns.
Mr Johnson said guidance on the issue had existed for 20 years, but it was not time to get an "up-to-date view". Mr Johnson said guidance on the issue had existed for 20 years, but it was now time to get an "up-to-date view".
"This is a very complex issue so it needs to be reviewed. We want to be fair to everyone... while protecting the principles of the NHS.""This is a very complex issue so it needs to be reviewed. We want to be fair to everyone... while protecting the principles of the NHS."
Tory MP John Baron, who has campaigned on the issue following the death of his Billericay constituent Linda O'Boyle earlier this year, said: "It is a very welcome decision. The ban on co-payments is cruel."Tory MP John Baron, who has campaigned on the issue following the death of his Billericay constituent Linda O'Boyle earlier this year, said: "It is a very welcome decision. The ban on co-payments is cruel."
InconsistentInconsistent
Critics have pointed out that the rules have been inconsistently applied and in some areas of treatment, such as dentistry, not used at all.Critics have pointed out that the rules have been inconsistently applied and in some areas of treatment, such as dentistry, not used at all.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "This announcement is long overdue, but it is a remarkable U-turn given the comments that Alan Johnson was making only a few months ago. Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said the announcement was "long overdue" and represented a "remarkable U-turn".
"NHS treatment should be available to all without favour. If a patient chooses to pay for a drug that the NHS won't provide, then it is unjust to deny them treatment which is available to everyone else." "If a patient chooses to pay for a drug that the NHS won't provide, then it is unjust to deny them treatment which is available to everyone else."
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley added it was right to review co-payments, but added: "We should also be looking at why these drugs are available in other countries and not here."Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley added it was right to review co-payments, but added: "We should also be looking at why these drugs are available in other countries and not here."
And Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, which represents health managers, said: "The impasse on top-ups was clearly unsustainable and threatened to undermine public confidence in the NHS. The decision by the government has also been welcomed by managers, doctors and patients.
"We need to find a solution that recognises an individual's wish to spend money as they see fit while safeguarding the principles of the NHS." Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, which represents health managers, said: "The impasse on top-ups was clearly unsustainable and threatened to undermine public confidence in the NHS."
Christoph Lees, of the independent Doctors for Reform group, which has been threatening to take legal action over the ban, said: "This is a historic moment that points the way towards a modern NHS based around the needs of patients rather than bureaucratic rules." Roger Goss, of Patient Concern, said the ban on co-payments was "ridiculous" and should be overturned as soon as possible.
And Christoph Lees, of the independent Doctors for Reform group, which has been threatening to take legal action over the ban, added: "This is a historic moment that points the way towards a modern NHS based around the needs of patients rather than bureaucratic rules."