Voucher Scheme A Body Blow To NHS, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 01 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

UNISON, the UK's largest health union, labelled plans to pilot vouchers for patients as a serious attack on universal health care. Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said:

"I am shocked by this proposal which is a body blow to our NHS.

"Giving vouchers to patients with long-term conditions to choose and buy their own treatment opens the door to charging and top-up fees. This scheme would undermine the founding principles of the NHS of care being free at the point of need.

"Vulnerable patients need independent medical advice from GPs and consultants on what is the best course of treatment to follow. It is a serious worry that patients may be persuaded by expensive glossy leaflets and advertising to take their vouchers and spend them elsewhere."

http://www.unison.org.uk