NHS charging system “in a mess”

The NHS’ charging system is “in a mess”, according to the Commons Health Select Committee. It has voiced concerns regarding the way the health service charges for services in all sectors, including dentistry and eye tests, to the use of car parking fees and bedside telephones.

The chairman of the committee, Kevin Barron, used the example of cancer patients who have to come to hospitals for treatment on a daily basis, but keep on having to pay car parking charges for the privilege.

Mr Barron told Radio Four’s Today programme: “After all, they are saving us as taxpayers large amounts of money because they’re day care patients and not staying in overnight.”

“While it’s a matter for each individual trust what they charge, we are recommending that they provide reduced rates for patients and their visitors and we would like the government to take action on this as soon as possible,” he added.

Additionally, the committee questioned the logic behind a total mobile phone ban in operation in many hospitals. Mr Barron commented: “It’s clear ITU units and things like that there is very sensitive equipment in there, but there are areas of general use in hospitals that we don’t think they should ban mobile phones.”

Existing Department of Health guidelines from 2004 say that mobile phones may be used in hospitals where appropriate, although it is up to hospitals to identify where the risk of interference is greatest.

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