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28^th March 2002

For immediate release

NHS charging a ‘confusing mishmash’ says new report from patients’ watchdog

‘A Tax on Illness?’, a new report launched today by the Association of Community Health Councils (ACHCEW), the statutory national representative of the public in the NHS, examines the legal basis, history and impact of NHS charges. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the NHS’s current charging regime, arguing that major change is necessary if health disadvantage is to be tackled.

Marion Chester ACHCEW legal officer and one of the report’s authors commented:

‘The regulations governing NHS charges are complex and difficult for patients and the public to understand. All too often they are unsure of how their charges are calculated or why they are being charged. Action must be taken to simplify this confusing mishmash of rules.

‘There are major inconsistencies right across the system, ranging from widespread variation in the interpretation of the rules, to the exemption of some illnesses but not others. We would like to see NHS charges got rid of altogether as the evidence shows that it decreases uptake of necessary treatments. If we can’t get rid of charging in the NHS we can at least attempt to make it both transparent and fair.’

The report urges the government to:

• Remove eye tests and dental check-ups from the charging regime.
• Significantly reduce prescription charges.
• Redesign exemption criteria and voucher schemes to reduce the hardship felt by those on long term medication.

Peter Walsh, Director of ACHCEW commented:

‘This is a very important report. In an ideal world, we would like to see an end to all charging for NHS treatment. At the very least, patients must be able to expect a more consistent, fair and transparent system. We hope that the report will act as the catalyst to bring about changes for the benefit of all NHS patients. We expect that this will be a cause around which there will be a broad coalition of organisations representing patients' and consumers' interests.’

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Copies of the report are available priced £7.50 from the Association of Community Health Councils. Please telephone Estelle Kiss on 020 7609 8405 for ordering information.

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For further information please contact: Murray Benham on - 020 7609 8138

email: murray.benham@achcew.org.uk

website: www.achcew.org.uk

Notes to Editors

 

• CHCs were established in 1974 as patient advocates within the NHS. Over the past 26 years they have been at the forefront of ensuring that the patients’ voice is heard and their complaints listened to. Most recently, they played a pivotal role in ensuring that Rodney Ledward was exposed, and that the victims of Harold Shipman were supported.
• There are 700 staff in Community Health Councils across the country all of whom face an uncertain future. CHCs also have over 5,000 volunteer members who contribute freely of their time to act as unpaid watchdogs for NHS patients.
• There are 204 CHCs in England and Wales. Similar bodies exist in Scotland (Local Health Councils) & Northern Ireland (Health and Social Services Councils).
• Each year CHCs assist around 30,000 people with complaints.

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