July 29th, 2010
The government plans to shake up the NHS could mean that health issues will be abandoned (prevention) in favour of health care (treatment).
The proposal, due to be published later this year, is that primary care trusts in England will be abolished and that GP’s will be given control of the budget instead. Public health issues would become the remit of local councils. This could mean that the NHS would no longer deal with issues like smoking and drinking.
‘Public Health’ matters have been handled by the NHS through campaigns to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles but this will now come under the control of the local councils.
Think tank the Kings Fund – a charity which seeks to understand how the health system in England can be improved – expressed concern that GPs would only be concerned with treating and not preventing ill health. It also indicated that consortiums of GPs will be in charge of local NHS services instead of primary care trusts.
Tags: freedom healthnet, NHS, NHS revamp, public health
Posted in NHS, health news | No Comments »
July 27th, 2010
The government has announced a £50 million injection of capital to pay for new cancer drugs for very sick patients. From October this year, doctors in England will be able to offer cancer drugs that have not been approved by NICE.
The move from the coalition government comes in response to the news that the UK lags behind many developed countries in providing the latest cancer drugs to its cancer sufferers. Health secretary Andrew Lansley commented “I promised that I would help patients in England get cancer drugs that are readily available in the rest of Europe.”
The report, from government cancer Tsar Professor Sir Mike Richards, also looked at drug use for other diseases cuch as heart disease, dementia and arthritis. He also indicated that this increased access to a wider range of latest drugs would not improve survival rates.
What could this mean for people who hold private health insurance policies? Currently, most insurers look to NICE for guidance on approval for drugs for private medical treatment. Insurers will probably continue to do so but will be considering the government initiative.
Tags: cancer drugs, NICE
Posted in NHS, Private Medical Insurance, health news | No Comments »
July 15th, 2010
Whilst increasing numbers are taking up health insurance so they can get prompt access to medical treatment here in the UK, it is also imperative to cover yourself when away on holiday. Travel health insurance is vital as it can cover you for accident or illness whilst abroad. What happens if you need an accident and need repatriating to the UK? Whilst the EHIC (European Health card, formerly the E111) does provide some basic provision, depending upon the country visited, it can still mean that vast sums are payable to hospitals / emergency medical services. Can you afford not to take out holiday insurance?
There are many other ways of ensuring that you stay healthy whilst abroad. Here are our top tips:
- Check the destination: are vaccinations required? Make sure you get them in plenty of time so you are covered
- Flying? make sure you wear flight socks, stay hydrated and get your legs moving – particularly on a long flight.
- Take basic medical supplies with you: insect repellent / bite creams, plasters, medication for diarrhoea / constipation, tea tree, malaria tablets (if required), painkillers, antiseptic creams, water sterilisation tablets, etc.
- Sun safety is key, especially for little ones, so high SPF sun tan lotions, hats, lightweight cover-ups, glasses, lots of water, etc. are vital
- Water safety: be aware of the potential dangers lurking in the calmest of waters
- Remain vigilant. Because you are on holiday and relaxed, it doesn’t mean that you should let your guard down. Tourists can often be victims of crime.
- Make yourself familiar with the local rules on the road, and remember to tell children that most countries drive on the other side of the road and to be vigilant when crossing streets.
- Fire safety: make a mental note of the location of fire exits, extinguishers, and smoke detectors in your hotel / villa and, as in the UK, never leave a cigarette unattended.
- Visit organisations like www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk, www.fco.gov.uk and the world health organisation.
- Take your EHIC card and get a good quality travel insurance
Travel insurance is available from a range of providers from the Post Office to Saga (over 50’s) and even banks like Nationwide have travel insurance. A broker / comparison site will give you a quote for travel insurance and help you to compare benefits and take out the level of cover you (and your family) need.
Tags: travel insurance, travel tips
Posted in Private Health Insurance | 1 Comment »
July 9th, 2010
A professor at a top London college has warned an NHS Trust to look into the reasons why it has a high death rate. Around 3,000 more patients died at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust than expected over the past eleven years and now Professor Sir Brian Jarman from Imperial College is warning bosses to investigate. According to Professor Jarman, who carried out the research behind these figures, a high death rate signals further problems in three quarters of cases. He told the Independent: “If I was on the Pennine trust board, I would be worried. Too few people are willing to speak out in the NHS because there is a climate of fear, so I will.”
The trust has been accused of ignoring the information, but they have criticised Professor Jarman’s claims. The Care Quality Commission has found “no evidence of systematic failures at Pennine” and says it is irresponsible to make judgments based solely on death rate data. Despite this, some patient action groups believe the information is crucial and something should be done to ensure that patients are safe. One campaign group, Cure the NHS, is now working to highlight any failings at NHS Pennine. Reports like this may be of a concern to people who may already have doubts about the quality of care on offer in NHS hospitals, especially if they have read well publicised stories such as Lucy Joan Watkin, an elderly lady who died in 2005 weighing six stone. These people may take out a quote for private medical insurance to give themselves the option of being treated in a private healthcare centre as an alternative to the NHS.
Tags: death rate, freedom healthnet, NHS Trusts
Posted in Health Insurance Quote, NHS | No Comments »
July 8th, 2010
The NHS could be hit by massive job cuts, say the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The organisation has revealed how the government plans to get rid of at least 10,000 staff in the health service to help pay back some of the billions of pounds of debt which the country is now in. It comes after the new government had promised to protect front line health services and now experts are predicting a rise in the number of people taking out a private medical insurance policy if the quality of healthcare suffers as a result.
The job cuts will be carried out via a freeze in recruitment and by not replacing people that have retired, a method which the General Secretary and Chief Executive of the RCN has branded an ‘insidious erosion of staffing.’ Many people are concerned that this will have a detrimental effect on the running and quality of the health service. If this begins to have an effect on patient’s experience of dealing with the NHS, it does seem likely that people may begin to look at private medical insurance as an alternative. With policies becoming increasingly affordable for most budgets, especially the often cheaper cash plan cover, people may decide to make an investment in their health to ensure the best quality of healthcare is available to them should they need it.
Tags: freedom healthnet, NHS jobs, Private Medical Insurance
Posted in Health Insurance Policy, NHS | 1 Comment »
