3 September 2001 Number 10

 

Subject

 

Treatment of NHS patients in mainland Europe.

 

Background

 

Health Secretary of State Alan Milburn last week announcedthat NHS Trusts will be able to use spare capacity in mainland Europeanhospitals for waiting list patients.

 

BUPAs position

 

Any initiative that provides faster treatment, offersgreater choice and increases competition must be to the patients benefit andis to be welcomed. Treatment abroadwill be an attractive option for some patients but we believe that many peoplewill have concerns, from both a medical and practical point of view. We think that NHS Trusts should firstconsider the opportunities for treatment in the independent sector in the UK,where there is available capacity. Thishas the advantages that:

        Patients are guaranteed continuity of care under their GPand consultant including aftercare.

        It will not be necessary to make special arrangements forany post-operative complications.

        People would in many cases be discharged earlier becausethey would not have to travel long distances following treatment.

Under the concordat between the NHS and the independentsector, about 100,000 patients are being treated in private hospitals this yearand there is the capacity to treat a total of 200,000 to help relieve NHSpressures.

When comparing prices, a number of factors need to betaken into account such as length of stay, types of prosthesis and follow-upcare. These may not be included in someof the headline prices quoted for treatment in Europe. We are able to offer flexible pricing to purchaserswho are able to specify in advance the number and range of treatments theyrequire and who will accept some restrictions on when spare capacity can bemade available to them.

 

 

Furtherinformation: Richard Jones, Operations Director, BUPA Hospitals, 0207656 2017