Welfare Reform on the Web (November 2001): National Health Service - Funding

DOCTORS DEMAND 15% RISE TO REDUCE PAY GAP

N. Timmins

Financial Times, Sept. 18th 2001, p.10

Doctors and nurses are seeking substantial pay rises (15% in the case of doctors), claiming that increases well above the rate of inflation are needed to improve staff recruitment and retention in the NHS.

MORATORIUM ON PFI IN HEALTH SECTOR DEMANDED

R. Shrimsley

Financial Times, Sept. 26th 2001, p.11

Delegates at the Liberal Democrat Party conference have voted for a halt to Public Finance Initiatives and Public Private Partnerships in the NHS pending a review of their effectiveness and for steps to encourage counter bids from public sector providers.

(See also Times, Sept. 26th 2001, p.12; Independent, Sept. 26th 2001, p.14; Guardian, Sept. 26th 2001, p.13).

NHS PATHOLOGISTS JOIN PRIVATE SERVICE

J. Meikle

Guardian, Aug. 30th 2001, p.2

Reports that a group of 30 NHS pathologists are setting up a private company to get paid for out of hours services. The firm will pledge to diagnose samples from suspected cancer patients in under five days at little or no extra cost to hospitals. This compares to current delays of up to two months.

(See also Times, Aug. 30th 2001, p.2).

NURSES 10% BID LEADS PAY REVOLT

D. Charter and C. Buckley

Times, Sept. 7th 2001, p.1

Nurses, teachers and prison officers are demanding substantial pay rises as the price of their co-operation in public service reform. Nurses are seeking a rise of 10% to close the gap between their starting salaries and those of teachers and police. Head teachers have asked for a 12% increase.

(See also Guardian, Sept. 7th 2001, p.4).

OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE SUPPLY AND REIMBURSEMENT OF GENERIC MEDICINES FOR THE NHS: A DISCUSSION PAPER

Department of Health

London: 2001

During the course of 1999 the NHS was affected by steep price increases and apparent shortages of many generic medicines. Paper evaluates present arrangements for the supply and reimbursement of generic medicines for the NHS and puts forward possible alternatives. Proposes two new approaches for discussion: 1) a reform option, which leaves present procurement arrangements intact but changes the basis on which reimbursement prices are calculated; and 2) the introduction of central purchasing, through competitive tendering, replacing present purchasing arrangements.

PRIVATE DENTISTS CHARGE SIX TIMES MORE THAN NHS

D. Charter

Times, Sept. 6th 2001, p.4

A survey by Which? magazine has found large variations in charges for private dental treatment. Typical charges for private treatment were between 2½ and three times the NHS price. Proposes that all private dental practices should publish price lists so that people can shop around for the best offer.

WHY HALF THE MEMBERS OF TRADE UNIONS HAVE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE

D. Kruger

Daily Telegraph, Sept. 11th 2001, p.20

Proposes making private health insurance accessible to low income families through old-fashioned friendly societies, co-operatives and mutuals.