NHS beware
An interesting tit-bit in this week's "Private Eye":"It's no surprise that one of the first to cash in on the coalition's further privatisation of the NHS is UnitedHealth UK, the offshoot of US insurance giant United Health Group which opposes state funded health care.One of health secretary Andrew Lansley's 'pathfinder' consortia of GPs, the so-called Great West Commissioning Consortium, comprising 57 doctor's practices in HOUNSLOW, has signed up UnitedWealth to help reduce the numbers of patients referred for hospital treatment. All referrals must now go through a 'facilitation service' where they will be vetted by United Health staff.This outfit was much liked by ex Labour Ministers despite its unpleasant court record and payment of hefty fines for corporate misbehaviour relating to its patients."There are several questions that spring to mind to start off: Are these people doing the 'vetting' medically qualified?Will patient confidentiality be maintained?Surely a GP shouldn't be referring people to hospital if this is not required, I can't believe that this actually happens anyway.I shall be asking my GP what is going on and what this is costing and what is going to be cut to pay for it. This is very worrying, and who bothered to consult patients or PCTs for that matter? We need to be really alert as to what this shower are up to with our Health Service.
Vanessa Smith ● 5597d1 Comments