Labour MPs ‘criticise EU health directive’

Some Labour MPs have criticised an EU healthcare directive due to be published this week that could enable British patients to travel abroad for treatment which would then be paid for by the NHS.

While the Conservative Party has described the change as progress towards “a free market in health services”, a number of Labour backbenchers have claimed the plan could create inequalities in the health system, the Patients Association reports.

It notes that the legislation was originally mooted as an attempt to clarify existing rights of citizens in the EU to enjoy freedom of movement with regard to health services, but adds that it could result in local health authorities funding trips abroad for treatment.

“Under the new directive patients could avoid NHS waiting lists by choosing to be treated abroad at the tax payer’s expense,” the association said.

“A Commons motion against the proposed directive has now been signed by 33 MPs aiming to put pressure on the government before negotiations start in 2008.”

It adds that backbenchers critical of the legislation include former secretary of state for health Frank Dobson.

On the BBC’s Politics Show broadcast earlier this month, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley MP backed the legislation, arguing that patients may well be coming to Britain to use the NHS rather than heading abroad to use services on mainland Europe.