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Plans for 'right' to private care Plans for 'right' to private care
(about 6 hours later)
Hospital patients in England may get the right to be seen privately if the NHS cannot treat them quickly enough.Hospital patients in England may get the right to be seen privately if the NHS cannot treat them quickly enough.
Hospitals have to start treating patients within 18 weeks of referral - or two weeks in the case of cancer.Hospitals have to start treating patients within 18 weeks of referral - or two weeks in the case of cancer.
But ministers now want to give patients a legal right to private care - or treatment at another NHS centre if so desired - if this does not happen.But ministers now want to give patients a legal right to private care - or treatment at another NHS centre if so desired - if this does not happen.
The Tories, who would scrap waiting time targets, said it was an "unaffordable and uncosted" pledge.The Tories, who would scrap waiting time targets, said it was an "unaffordable and uncosted" pledge.
Some patients - in fact several thousand a month - are already being treated at private hospitals under the NHS through the patient choice initiative.Some patients - in fact several thousand a month - are already being treated at private hospitals under the NHS through the patient choice initiative.
This is another attempt by Labour to use the NHS as a political football Andrew LansleyShadow health secretaryThis is another attempt by Labour to use the NHS as a political football Andrew LansleyShadow health secretary
At the start of the referral process, they are able to choose from an approved list of providers that are willing to carry out the treatment at NHS cost.At the start of the referral process, they are able to choose from an approved list of providers that are willing to carry out the treatment at NHS cost.
But this latest initiative, which will be announced by Health Secretary Andy Burnham on Tuesday, will allow patients to opt to switch to private care at a later date if it turns out the NHS cannot see them within the deadline.But this latest initiative, which will be announced by Health Secretary Andy Burnham on Tuesday, will allow patients to opt to switch to private care at a later date if it turns out the NHS cannot see them within the deadline.
In theory, this has already been possible during the drive to cut waiting times since Labour came to power.In theory, this has already been possible during the drive to cut waiting times since Labour came to power.
However, it has been incumbent on trusts themselves to arrange such steps, meaning it has not been routinely done.However, it has been incumbent on trusts themselves to arrange such steps, meaning it has not been routinely done.
And since most waiting targets were met, there was little need to take such action in the first place.And since most waiting targets were met, there was little need to take such action in the first place.
But the government believes that by introducing a legal right it will empower patients to hold the health service to the shorter waiting times which have now been achieved.But the government believes that by introducing a legal right it will empower patients to hold the health service to the shorter waiting times which have now been achieved.
Mr Burnham is expected to say: "Waiting times are the shortest they have ever been but we want to build on this strong foundation and give patients a legal right to maximum waiting times.Mr Burnham is expected to say: "Waiting times are the shortest they have ever been but we want to build on this strong foundation and give patients a legal right to maximum waiting times.
"Turning targets into legal rights will empower patients and guarantee them the same high standards of care, regardless of where they live.""Turning targets into legal rights will empower patients and guarantee them the same high standards of care, regardless of where they live."
Mr Burnham is also expected to say that the government plans to give everyone between 40 and 74 a legal right to a five-yearly NHS Health Check from 2012 to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
The Conservatives accused ministers of playing politics; it is unlikely that the legislation required to enforce the new rights would be passed before an election.The Conservatives accused ministers of playing politics; it is unlikely that the legislation required to enforce the new rights would be passed before an election.
The Tories have said they would scrap the 18-week target, preferring to concentrate on outcomes, such as deaths, rather than processes.The Tories have said they would scrap the 18-week target, preferring to concentrate on outcomes, such as deaths, rather than processes.
'Gaping hole''Gaping hole'
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "This is another attempt by Labour to use the NHS as a political football.Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "This is another attempt by Labour to use the NHS as a political football.
"It is the latest in a series of unaffordable and uncosted pledges that have more to do with electioneering than improving the NHS.""It is the latest in a series of unaffordable and uncosted pledges that have more to do with electioneering than improving the NHS."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "It's absolutely right that every person should have the right to private treatment, paid for by the NHS, if their local hospital can't provide it when they should.Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "It's absolutely right that every person should have the right to private treatment, paid for by the NHS, if their local hospital can't provide it when they should.
"But the government's announcement has a gaping hole in it for those who still aren't covered by the current target regime, such as mental health patients.""But the government's announcement has a gaping hole in it for those who still aren't covered by the current target regime, such as mental health patients."
The British Medical Association also said it had concerns.The British Medical Association also said it had concerns.
Dr Mark Porter, of the BMA's consultants committee, said: "We have concerns that this will mean more NHS work going to private providers, with destabilising effects on hard-pressed NHS services."Dr Mark Porter, of the BMA's consultants committee, said: "We have concerns that this will mean more NHS work going to private providers, with destabilising effects on hard-pressed NHS services."