This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8046188.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Top up fees 'may compromise care' Top-up fees 'may compromise care'
(about 2 hours later)
The end of the ban on patients paying for extra drugs to top up NHS care could compromise care, warn MPs.The end of the ban on patients paying for extra drugs to top up NHS care could compromise care, warn MPs.
Ministers lifted the ban in England last November, but insisted extra treatment must be administered separately from NHS care.Ministers lifted the ban in England last November, but insisted extra treatment must be administered separately from NHS care.
The Common's Health Committee said it was the only realistic way forward, but warned such a separation would be difficult to achieve in practice. The Commons Health Committee said it was the only realistic way forward, but warned such a separation would be difficult to achieve in practice.
The MPs also warned it could disrupt seriously ill patients' care.The MPs also warned it could disrupt seriously ill patients' care.
There are real concerns which will need to be carefully monitored Kevin BarronHealth CommitteeThere are real concerns which will need to be carefully monitored Kevin BarronHealth Committee
The ban on top up fees was lifted following a review by the government's cancer tsar Professor Mike Richards. The ban on top-up fees was lifted following a review by the government's cancer tsar Professor Mike Richards.
Previously, patients were supposed to be barred from NHS care if they chose to pay for private treatment - but the rules were not applied uniformly across the country, leading to accusations of unfairness.Previously, patients were supposed to be barred from NHS care if they chose to pay for private treatment - but the rules were not applied uniformly across the country, leading to accusations of unfairness.
Announcing the government's intention to accept Professor Richards' recommendations, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the issue had caused distress to patients and their relatives.Announcing the government's intention to accept Professor Richards' recommendations, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the issue had caused distress to patients and their relatives.
"None of us wanted the uncertainty and inconsistency to continue," he said."None of us wanted the uncertainty and inconsistency to continue," he said.
In its report, the committee stressed that the lifting of the ban must not be allowed to result in a two-tier system, where two patients with the same condition on the same ward received different treatments.In its report, the committee stressed that the lifting of the ban must not be allowed to result in a two-tier system, where two patients with the same condition on the same ward received different treatments.
But equally they said moving a patient from an NHS ward to a different location for private treatment could potentially compromise their care.But equally they said moving a patient from an NHS ward to a different location for private treatment could potentially compromise their care.
Drug approvalDrug approval
The MPs also criticised new rules from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) making it more likely that drugs which can extend life for people with rare diseases will get NHS approval.The MPs also criticised new rules from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) making it more likely that drugs which can extend life for people with rare diseases will get NHS approval.
They said the new rules meant that more would be spent on treatments which offered a limited benefit, at the expense of treatments which gave greater benefits to more patients.They said the new rules meant that more would be spent on treatments which offered a limited benefit, at the expense of treatments which gave greater benefits to more patients.
The committee calls for the Department of Health to monitor the new rules closely, and fund research to assess their effectiveness.The committee calls for the Department of Health to monitor the new rules closely, and fund research to assess their effectiveness.
It also urges primary care trusts to be more transparent about how decisions on whether to fund drugs on the NHS are made.It also urges primary care trusts to be more transparent about how decisions on whether to fund drugs on the NHS are made.
Kevin Barron MP, chairman of the Health Committee, said the issue was highly complex.Kevin Barron MP, chairman of the Health Committee, said the issue was highly complex.
He said the option of separating out NHS and private care was the only one likely to address most effectively the confusion surrounding the debate.He said the option of separating out NHS and private care was the only one likely to address most effectively the confusion surrounding the debate.
Mr Barron said: "Other options, such as a voucher scheme, appear to be unworkable or would undermine the fundamental values of the NHS.Mr Barron said: "Other options, such as a voucher scheme, appear to be unworkable or would undermine the fundamental values of the NHS.
"Nevertheless, there are real concerns which will need to be carefully monitored.""Nevertheless, there are real concerns which will need to be carefully monitored."
Shadow Health Minster Mark Simmonds said the government had got into a "terrible mess" over top up payments. Shadow health minster Mark Simmonds said the government had got into a "terrible mess" over top-up payments.
He said: "This is a difficult area but our primary concern must be making sure that all NHS patients get access to the best drugs available.He said: "This is a difficult area but our primary concern must be making sure that all NHS patients get access to the best drugs available.
"That is why Conservatives have proposed reforms which will mean companies will in future only be paid by the results that their drugs achieve, which will mean better access to new drugs for more patients and better value for money overall.""That is why Conservatives have proposed reforms which will mean companies will in future only be paid by the results that their drugs achieve, which will mean better access to new drugs for more patients and better value for money overall."
A Department of Health spokesperson said the committee's report would be carefully considered before a formal response was made to parliament. A Department of Health spokesperson said the committee's report would be carefully considered before a formal response was made to Parliament.
"The package of measures which the government announced in response to the Richards review last November will substantially widen access to drugs on the NHS, reducing the numbers of patients wanting to fund drugs privately."The package of measures which the government announced in response to the Richards review last November will substantially widen access to drugs on the NHS, reducing the numbers of patients wanting to fund drugs privately.
"Patients and the public can be confident that there will be greater clarity, greater fairness and, most importantly, greater access to a wider range of drugs.""Patients and the public can be confident that there will be greater clarity, greater fairness and, most importantly, greater access to a wider range of drugs."
Under the new rules, patients pay not only for the drug, but any cost over and above what would have been provided for on the NHS, including any scans or tests associated with the treatment, staff costs of administering the drug, follow-up care and the cost of any NHS equipment used for private purposes.Under the new rules, patients pay not only for the drug, but any cost over and above what would have been provided for on the NHS, including any scans or tests associated with the treatment, staff costs of administering the drug, follow-up care and the cost of any NHS equipment used for private purposes.