An NHS hospital in the UK has come under criticism twice in the same week because of concerns over its hygiene standards. On Wednesday this week, the family of an elderly woman have complained about the level of care she received in Luton and Dunstable Hospital, after she was found lying in her own faeces and dehydrated. An E.coli outbreak in 2008 where two babies died is also the source of further criticism for the healthcare centre, as some parents are now suing the NHS hospital. A report says that the infection was probably caused by a lack of cleaning, including staff not washing their hands properly. A spokesman for the hospital has told the ‘Daily Mail’ that in some emergency situations a choice has to be made whether to follow hand washing regulations or to use the extra few seconds to help an ill youngster. It is these sorts of case studies however that might encourage some people to take out a quote for private medical insurance.


Cleanliness in NHS hospitals has long been one of the most common reasons why people have opted for private health insurance in order to gain access to private hospitals where the incidences of superbugs and hospital acquired infections are lower. Although measures have been taken in the past few years to significantly reduce the numbers of people getting infections like MRSA, some people may still like to have the added peace of mind that a private medical insurance policy provides. This does not only apply to hygiene levels either. We never know when we are likely to fall ill, but if we do, it is reassuring to know that you will be able to be treated in the shortest time possible and in a hospital that is the most convenient to you. This can all be gained by taking out private medical insurance as a way of having access to private healthcare with an affordable premium.

Private patients should be able to jump the queues on NHS waiting lists, according to the participants of one of the latest surveys. A poll of readers of ‘Health Insurance and Protection Magazine’ found that over three quarters of people believe that a person who has already got a referral from a private consultant should be able to join an NHS waiting list higher up than someone who hasn’t already had a referral on the NHS. It follows the high profile case of a woman with a back problem who had already received a private diagnosis, but was then told to have NHS treatment she must get another referral and join the back of the waiting list. Experts have now said that there should be more of a private sector involvement in the NHS to avoid some confusion and to allow people to have added peace of mind if they should so choose it. The top-up system has been one step to integrate some of this.


Other people have said that private patients, including private health insurance policy holders, should have the same rights as NHS patients if they decide to opt for the free healthcare in the end as they contribute as taxpayers as well. However, if patients are increasingly having similar problems with integrating back into the health service after seeking a private diagnosis, NHS top ups may seem like an attractive option. These mean that NHS treatments can be upgraded if the patient so wishes, but at an extra cost to them. Cash plan private medical insurance is ideal for this situation as it is one of the cheapest type of policies available and is perfect for supplementing the NHS.

The Liberal Democrats have become increasingly popular in the UK, especially since the MP’s expenses scandal last year and has gained percentage points in recent polls in the run up to the general election. In the increasing likelihood of a hung parliament next month, Nick Clegg and his party will have a vital contribution to the running of the future government and their policies have come to the forefront of attention. In the final part of Freedom Healthnet’s election special, we look at the UK’s third party’s ideas for the NHS and the impact they could have on the private health insurance industry if their influence in Parliament grows.


The NHS budget could be under threat if the Lib Dem’s get their way. The party’s manifesto does not guarantee the future of the health services funding in a bid to cut the expenditure of the government. All political parties will be looking to save money where they can to help pay off the huge debt the country is now in, and Nick Clegg is planning to source some of this from the health budget. The Department of Health could be cut in half to make some of these efficiency savings. Some people may be worried that this could mean the quality of care could suffer as a result of this, and may take out a quote for private medical insurance to give themselves extra peace of mind.


Other proposed savings would come from a reorganisation of the structure of the NHS. Strategic health authorities would be scrapped, and giving the power to plan health services to elected local health boards. The Lib Dem’s answer for the controversial provision of out of hours GP care would be to give a greater role back to GPs in providing the service. It would mean some local doctors would have to be involved. This could be in response to concerns that some agency GPs have not been providing a high level of care, as seen high profile cases recently where patients have died and may have meant some people have opted for private health insurance to have affordable access to private doctors.

As various election campaigns get into full swing across the country with only weeks left until polling day on May 6th, Freedom Healthnet continues its special look at the party’s proposals for healthcare provisions. The NHS is a long standing and vital issue for the vying politicians and their plans for its future not only have an effect upon the state of free healthcare itself, but also for the private sector. Today, we look at the Conservative party’s manifesto and the impacts it could have if they win the general election.


GP opening hours is a continuing issue, despite the reform brought about in 2004 and it has not escaped the Conservatives plans for the NHS. Similarly to Labour, they promise access to GP care twelve hours a day, seven days a week for every person in the UK. But Cameron’s plans say that GPs themselves would be responsible for deciding how the services will be provided which means that contracts will have to be negotiated again. Six years ago, GPs opted out of out of hours care in favour of a pay cut and meant that doctors were brought in to cover the service. The Chairman of BMA Council, Dr Hamish Meldrum told the BBC: "The idea of being able to see a GP from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week is bound to be popular, and patients deserve good access to GP services, but this shouldn't come at the expense of the quality of a patient's overall care, which is at risk if services become fragmented.” If the level of care does drop, people could be tempted to get a quote for private medical insurance.


Other healthcare proposals from the Tories include ruling out the planned closure of some Accident and Emergency and maternity departments in certain hospitals. While this seems to be a popular policy, critics have said that some of these closures are needed and without them patient safety and quality of their healthcare could be at risk. Private health insurance could then become a more attractive option for increasing numbers of people if they wish to gain affordable access to private hospitals where some of the highest quality healthcare in the UK is on offer.

Politicians across the UK have been launching their election manifestos this week ahead of the general election on May 6th. Unsurprisingly, the NHS has come to the forefront of debate so Freedom Healthnet is taking a look at each of the main party’s visions for the health care of the future and the likely impact of this on private medical insurance.


The Labour Party

Primary care trusts are one of the main priorities for the Labour Party’s plans for the NHS. They are already established in much of England, but Gordon Brown wants every hospital to become one by 2015. This has been extended to previous targets and would mean a further 93 hospitals would have more control over how they are run. Critics have said this is a risky move though and could cause problems for the running of the hospital while the management changes hands. If a hospital’s services are not running to the highest quality they can be during a period of time, it could mean that people are tempted to get a quote for private health insurance to ensure that they will always have access to the highest quality of care possible should they become ill.


Gordon Brown has also set out his commitment to greater access to out of hours GP care. People can currently see a doctor at evenings and weekends in at least one health centre in every area of England, or at least will be able to at a shortly opening clinic. Out of hours GP care has been problematic for the NHS since it was reformed in 2004 and most doctors opted out of working the longer hours in favour of a pay cut. Tragic cases where people have suffered as a result have since been publicised and could have been a reason for people to take out a private medical insurance policy and gain affordable access to private sector GPs.