Every patient who has waited two or more years will be given a choice.
NHS patients who have waited more than two years for treatment will be able to opt for NHS-funded private treatment, under new plans.
Announcing a package of NHS reforms during a speech at the Royal College of Physicians, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said patients would be proactively contacted and given a “Right to Choose”.
Every patient who has waited two or more years for treatment will be able to choose treatment in another NHS organisation in a different part of England or opt for NHS-funded private treatment.
Patients who opt to travel to a different region will have their travel and accommodation costs reimbursed.
Critics have suggested that instead of funding profit-making healthcare the Government should focus on improving current services and investing in a sustainable workforce.
Other reforms announced include a bigger focus on prevention and further investment in digital health technologies.
A sustainable workforce is needed.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Chair of Council for the British Medical Associoation (BMA) warned; “Much of the speech considered how to ensure the best use of resources in the NHS.
“This must involve investing in the NHS which is far more efficient than private providers.
“It should be totally clear by now that having to rely on the private sector to deliver NHS services too often represents very poor value for money for taxpayers, with several private providers having failed in the past resulting in them closing their doors to patients.
“We should also be wary of private providers bidding for contracts which cherry-pick low risk patients while being unable to provide comprehensive care for those with more serious and complex needs.
“The right long-term strategy is proper investment in the NHS infrastructure and the Government must ensure that contractual arrangements for independent providers are transparent, so public resource is not wasted on providers that do not deliver.
