RCN responds to Government announcement on NHS co-payments
Published: 04 November 2008
Responding to the Health Secretary’s statement on NHS Co-payments, Dr. Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
“The Government has made the right decision in lifting the ban on NHS care for those who choose to pay for additional drugs privately. The RCN is also pleased that the Government has accepted recommendations on transparency in NICE and the need to speed up its’ drug approval process so that fewer people have to consider co-payments in the first place. In addition, Primary Care Trusts needs to work with each other and through Strategic Health Authorities to ensure that decisions are made quickly on the best evidence available in an open and transparent way.
“However, today’s announcement marks the first step in a long journey towards resolving this deeply complicated debate which has huge implications for patients and health professionals in the NHS and beyond. The government needs to work with nurses and patients to ensure that this does not bring about a business class versus no-frills NHS. There are still significant issues about how this principle is translated into practice, which could have a big impact on the work of nurses and how patients are cared for. We are committed to working with Government at every step of the way to ensure the best possible outcome.”
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Notes to Editors
For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.