Could British Patients Be Sent To India For Treatment To Save Money?
Proposals for the NHS to work with private medical firms in India have been unveiled, causing shock and anger among patient groups and health professionals.
Former health secretary Patricia Hewitt, who is also chairwoman of the UK India Business Council, revealed plans to send UK doctors to India and vice-versa. This is in a bid to raise money for the NHS, as a result of panic among patient groups that may be sent to Asia for treatment, as fees are significantly lower there.
Writing in the Health Service Journal, Ms Hewitt revealed plans to make the most of the emerging health industry in the sub-continent, which is expected to be worth in excess of £5 billion in five years time.
She said that the ambition was to get as many professionals, charities and health companies in India as possible. The idea centres on a kind of exchange programme, which would see UK doctors and dentists visiting India to work and Indian health and dental professionals, who are less expensive, to work in the UK.
Ms Hewitt’s plans have angered many, including Dr Kailash Chand, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association. Mr Chand said that the NHS should not be doing business with medical firms in India and added that trusts who are struggling to stick to a budget should be getting extra support from the British Government, rather than looking overseas.
He described the situation as “a scandal” and said that it was a major concern that this could potentially turn into a situation where UK patients are sent abroad for treatment in a bid to cut costs.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said that patients will not be sent abroad for treatment and NHS patients remain the priority. He also added that under no circumstances would the quality of care provided by NHS staff be compromised by sending trained professionals to work in other countries.
Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patient’s Association, said that it was very worrying that there was talk of sending NHS professionals abroad and added that this move would undoubtedly affect services at home.
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