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1 in 6 hospitals offers
private services to boost income, finds BMJ investigation
1 in 6 hospitals in England
have introduced new private treatment options this year, as cost
pressures tighten restrictions on some NHS services, a BMJ
investigation revealed on. This includes a growing number of
hospitals offering patients the choice of "self funding"
for treatments and services that are subject to restrictions or to
long waiting times on the NHS, such as IVF, cataract surgery and
hernia repair. In these cases, treatments are offered at
cheaper rates than in the private sector. The BMJ obtained
data from 134 acute hospital trusts in England through freedom of
information requests and found that:-
► 119 trusts (89%) now offer traditional
private care or "self funded" services.
► 21 (16%) added
new self funding or private treatment options for 2013 to 2014.
► 17 (13%) now
allow patients to pay for one or more services at notional NHS
rates, under the self funding scheme.
Providers told the BMJ that the schemes make care more accessible.
But critics say that the growth of self funding has muddied the
waters between private care and the NHS by creating a 2 tier system;
particularly in combination with government rule changes that allow
hospitals to raise up to 49% of funds through non NHS work.
Hospitals to have introduced new options for patients in the past
year include Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
for varicose vein surgery, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals
NHS Trust for liver scans, and age related macular degeneration, and
Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Essex for imaging services
and chemotherapy.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has also recently begun
offering "self funded" cycles of IVF treatment for
patients who have used up their NHS funded cycles.
Many trusts that the BMJ contacted said they did not differentiate
between "self funded" and "private"
care. But John Appleby, chief economist at the healthcare think tank
the King's Fund, said that, regardless of price, care was still
being funded from patients' own pockets and was driven by cost
restrictions.
Critics argue that self funding not only blurs the lines between NHS
and private care, but could also disadvantage NHS patients because,
unlike more traditional private patients, self funding patients are
often treated in the same premises as NHS patients.
The lines are arguably being blurred even further by a new scheme
from the private provider Care UK, which recently introduced a new
self pay option at four of its 11 NHS funded treatment centres
across England.
A spokesman for Care UK said self-pay patients:- "will not be
prioritised over NHS patients." But Nicholas Hopkinson, a
consultant chest physician in London, said he opposed self funding
as it could lead to an:- "inferior service" for those
not paying.
John Appleby believes that, as self pay schemes expand, they should
be strictly governed and separated from NHS care to ensure that NHS
patients are not being adversely affected.
The Foundation Trust Network, which represents NHS foundation
hospital trusts in England, said that most trusts had systems in
place to stop paying patients:- "queue jumping" ahead
of NHS patients when being treated in the same facility, and that it
expected more treatments to be available to self funding in the
future.
But David Hunter, Professor of health policy and management at
Durham University, warns that not only could self funding schemes
pave the way for:- "a 2 tier or multi-tier system which is
both complicated and inequitable." they could also lead to
commissioners and providers focusing their energies on more
lucrative procedures to raise additional funds.
'Get your Kicks at the UK's 1st Mixed
Martial Arts Expo at EventCity this Weekend!'
THE UK's 1st MMA (Mixed
Martial Arts) Expo is taking place at EventCity, Manchester this
weekend! Taking place from Saturday, 20 July to Sunday, 21 July
2013, at the MMA Expo is the 1st of its kind to take place in the UK
and will see two of the biggest British names in Mixed Martial Arts,
Michael 'The Count' Bisping and Ross 'The Real
Deal' Pearson taking part. Michael currently ranked #3
middleweight in the world and formerly from Manchester will be
flying in from his Californian home especially to take part in the
Expo. Both Michael and Ross are huge names in the Mixed Martial Arts
arena, Michael in the middleweight category and Ross in the
lightweight and their fighting stats have seen them win 25-5 (won
25, lost 5) and 17-6 (won 17 and lost 6) respectively. This showcase
weekend includes exhibition stands from companies in the MMA
industry plus plenty of things for visitors to see such as training
seminars, star photo/signing sessions, open workouts, knowledge base
theatre hosting free lectures/Q&A sessions and competitions
including the Open British Grappling Championships, Amateur and
Professional MMA Events and the Ring Girl of the Year Competition!
Taking place from 10am to 6pm daily, the Expo aims to help raise the
profile of the world's fastest growing sport and it's fighters in
the UK. MMA training offers many benefits such as fitness,
discipline and self-confidence as well as being an exciting
spectator sport. Entry cost is just £10 per day or £15 for the
weekend. Please visit:-
ukmmaexpo.co.uk for more
information and tickets. |
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Investing in
Liverpool!
LIVERPOOL has seen many
changes over the past 10 years, none more so than in the property
market. A few years ago, developers and investors piled into City
Centers such as Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. Then the bubble
burst and the investors disappeared, leaving many empty houses and
apartments.
On the other hand the trends are now changing and wealthy Chinese
and Far Eastern investors like the stability, democracy and solid
land titles that Britain offers, as well as feeling that owning
property here carries kudos and offers a prime opportunity to
educate their children in the English speaking world. They are also
keen to store some of their riches outside of their homeland. Many
are attracted to the strength of the UK rental sector. Investors can
benefit from yields in the region of 8%.
With this in mind and with a constant eye on property market trends
Goodman Wells was created. Goodman Wells are specialists in
providing high income producing buy to let property investments in
the UK, especially Merseyside. The team has over 30 years of
combined experience within property and the financial services
allowing them to access bulk heavily discounted high yielding deals
for both small and large investors.
Paul Burgess, co-founder and Director says:-
"Liverpool is a City on the up. The £5.5bn Liverpool Waters scheme
could start next year after the Government gave it the go-ahead.
This is great news for the City and property investors alike. By
2030, there is the potential for some 250,000 new jobs to be created
in the Atlantic Gateway area. More jobs mean a greater demand for
housing in and around the City, which is fantastic news for
landlords looking to expand their portfolios. Liverpool has the
fastest growing economy outside of London. We have been receiving a
large number of enquiries from overseas investors looking to invest
in buy to let properties in Liverpool, having switched their focus
from London to Liverpool in search for higher yields and secure
rents."
According to latest Census figures, the proportion of British
households renting has increased in the past decade from 31% to 36%.
Average monthly rents have risen by roughly 15%, or £100, in just 3
years.
Paul commented:- "Our experienced team has successfully guided
many novice investors to financial freedom through our bespoke
property investments services whilst also catering for high net
worth clients with up to several million pounds to invest in
completely off market investments."
Two such deals now at the re-furb stage are both based on Parkfield
Road in Aigburth, and are currently being refurbished into
apartments. Several other multi-million pound deals are currently in
the pipeline also. "It
comes as the property market in Beijing, Shanghai and other leading
Chinese cities has 'overheated' in recent years. A chronic
oversupply of property there is driving down rents with an average
gross yield of just three%. This as well as a lot of London
based investors now looking to this region for lower level
investments adds to an exciting time for the Liverpool property
market as the clouds of doom after the credit crisis and recessions
of recent years slowly begin to move. As a local firm and from this
region it helps that we have a passion for the City when dealing
with these investors too." adds Eddie Layland a partner in
Goodman Wells.
Casting call:- "My Naked Secret"
IS there something about your body
that you would do any think to change? Are you afraid of
revealing it to your family and friends? Do you want to do something
about it? Maverick Television are looking for people for the next
series of the medical show called:- "My Naked Secret".
From birthmarks to male breasts, extreme body hair to scarring, or
any other condition you are hiding under your clothes or make-up.
If you'd like to be considered for consultation, advice and possible
treatment of your secret body issue please get in touch via
emailing:-
mynakedsecret@mavericktv.co.uk. |
