Dear Editor, The Tories lay the misleading claim that despite radical changes to the NHS, it will still be “free at the point of use”. Less is said about the fact that not all services, currently free, will be available.
Some services are already furtively being listed as not necessary on the grounds of being either “cosmetic” or “ineffective”. Croydon has a catalogue of 34 procedures which don’t have to be offered to patients. These include knee, hip and cataract surgery.
Services may be restricted or denied, despite GP referral for treatment. Vetting procedures are carried out by privately run companies – “referral gateways” – before a patient is allowed or not, to visit a hospital consultant. Much depends upon the company’s assessment, as to who is allowed through the gateway. The procedure is growing in parts of the country and adds another dimension to the ‘postcode lottery’ whereby specific drugs are available in some areas and not others.
Denying NHS treatment presents three options. Firstly, treatment can be paid for on a ‘pay as you go’ basis. Secondly, costs are covered by private medical insurance. Finally, a patient may decide neither of these options are financially viable and consequently decide to forgo treatment. Health care becomes rationed in terms of buying power and not need. Need is rationalised as unimportant.
So, this government is moving, by stealth, to a market health care system. Public indifference and obliviousness are two factors to be overcome, if the NHS is to remain free and accessible.
Edward Davies, Stourbridge
