NHS plan to give patients itemised 'bills' is outrageous, Hull campaigners say
HEALTH campaigners have criticised plans to give hospital patients breakdowns of how much their treatment has cost the NHS.
Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said the move would encourage patients to "value" and "appreciate" the service, as well as raise awareness of how much tests, procedures and visits cost.
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Criticisms: Campaigners fighting to save NHS services at the region's hospitals have criticised plans to hand out cost breakdowns to patients. Picture: Rob Stebbing
Trust chief executive Phil Morley said some people attend the accident and emergency (A&E) department at Hull Royal Infirmary, requesting painkillers for a headache.
He said the visit costs £150 but the painkillers could have cost pennies.
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Now, campaigners say they believe the cost breakdowns could deter patients from attending hospital.
Dermot Rathbone, 44, who is secretary of the Save Our NHS Hull and East Yorkshire group, suffers from a degenerative brain condition called cerebellar ataxia and needs ongoing treatment.
He said: "It's outrageous.
"I understand Mr Morley is under pressure with cutbacks but this won't help.
"People who play the system are hardened to it and this isn't targeting the right people.
"The people who do this display a lack of regard for other people anyway, so it won't have any effect.
"It's allowing people who are doing wrong to set the agenda for the rest of us."
The trust, which runs Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, is under pressure to save £99m. The efficiency savings have to be made by 2018 and include ward closures and bed losses.
Mr Rathbone, of Kirk Ella, said the breakdown of costs could cause added stress.
He said: "This is the last thing you want to be presented with and think about.
"I know my treatment costs a lot of money. But you don't want that on your mind when you go into hospital."
Mr Morley said he wants to remind people how "precious" the NHS is and he believes people will be shocked by the costs.
This includes £500 for a bag of blood and between £6,000 and £10,000 for a hip operation.
Mr Morley said he doesn't want people to see the move, which is to be discussed by hospital officials, as a "disincentive" for attending hospital but wants people to "make the best use" of the NHS.
Danny Marten, chairman of Save Our NHS Hull and East Yorkshire group, said: "We are worried people will be made to feel guilty for using the NHS.
"Older people especially are very conscientious about money and may feel they are being a burden, or do not feel they are 'worth it'.
"This may be especially true for vulnerable patients with mental health issues."
The trust declined to comment on the criticisms.
But last week, Mr Morley told the Mail: "This isn't about changing people, it's about a being conscious.
"If that care could have been given somewhere that is just as good but cheaper, is hospital the right place to be?
"We want people to be aware of the valuable resources we have and use them more wisely."
Comments
by Clem_
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 4:16PM
“Show people how much their treatment has cost and then be prepared to re-admit them.”
by AstynomiaKats
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 7:44PM
“I would then hand them my statement pointing out how much national insurance I have paid in the last XXX odd years, thats an insurance to provide for me and otheres for when they are sick or become unemployed. Unfortunately, like the car tax, the government has stolen this money for use for other purposes such as letting large firms off their tax bills, appauling senior civil service salaries and over egged expenses.”
by PatrickNewman
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 4:50PM
“Next step - the coalition will be telling patients they have got to pay and claim back on insurance. Many trusts are acting like companies in a market place already!”
by Thoughtful
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 4:26PM
“I have worked inside the hospital ... not employed by the NHS on and off for many years. A&E cases seem to me to be in two distinct groups. Well meaning caring ordinary people who are ill and don't abuse the system, so what is the point in giving them an invoice! and the others who for one reason or another do not give a jot about anyone except themselves. What is the point in giving them an invoice and it will be put in a bin. In my job I have to give people a piece of paper informing them of certain things.... it gets thrown on the floor... This idea is a complete waste of time and money. The media should be used to educate people about the costs and hope they take notice. If they don't do you really think giving them a piece of paper is going to make a difference? And before anyone else says it the NHS should bill those people not entitled to free care like they do in other parts of the EU...”
by Tiree_Auto
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 3:50PM
“I'd be interested in knowing. I like Adam089's idea of putting in the cost of similar treatment if the patient lived in a country without free healthcare.”
by GlennQuagmire
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 1:56PM
“And extend this to charge lightwieght Hull men who can't handle their drink properly.”
by Sezby
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 1:30PM
“@Thoughtful - you want them to educate people? This IS educating people. It's educating them on how much treatment actually costs. When we have to pay cash for something expensive (most) people would make a careful judgement on whether they need it and how they can keep the cost to a minimum but because it is 'free' it seems a lot of people don't give the cost a second thought.
@beverleybeck - if the country didn't have so many foreigners the NHS would have collapsed already with no-one to staff it.”
by WykeTyke
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 12:59PM
“Itemised bills unnecessarily wasteful.
A simple leaflet showing out the cost an A&E consultation or a night in a Hospital bed given to drunks and hypochondriacs as necessary by Hospital staff would be better and cheaper.”
by hubbabubba
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 11:42AM
“As if the clerical staff havn't got enough to do without itemised billing. More unnessary paperwork for them to do.”
by mikewhit
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 11:36AM
“by beverleybeck
What would the hospital be like if all the Brits had to come back, Spain would empty as would lots of other countries. Australia is full of brits that sent as crims and£10 poms.
Just because they are different, doesn't mean we should not treat.
Next you will say they don't work. just racist”