Welfare Reform on the Web (October 2004): National Health Service - Funding

FRAMING THE FUTURE

C. Ham

Health Service Journal, Vol.114, Sept. 23rd 2004, p.18-19

From 2009 there will be no more large scale increases in NHS funding. Politicians therefore need to look for innovations that will improve health care without breaking the bank. These could include:

• government acting through legislation to improve public health e.g. by banning smoking in public places;
• increasing patient choice by encouraging plurality of providers within the NHS;
• introducing direct payments so that patients can purchase their own care.

NHS'S OWN TEMP AGENCY OWES £5M TO RECRUITING FIRMS

N. Hawkes

The Times, Sept. 29th 2004, p.8

NHS Professionals was intended by government to replace private temporary medical staff agencies by offering nurses and other professionals a better deal. However, it has insufficient staff on its books to meet demand, and can supply hospitals only with the help of private agencies. It relies on other NHS bodies to process payment of its bills and may currently owe the private sector agencies more than £5 million.

PANIC POSTPONED

N. Plumridge

Health Service Journal, Vol.114, Sept 2nd 2004, p.29

The Department of Health is adopting a more cautious approach to implementing "payment by results" in the NHS. Only 25% of hospital income will now be covered by the payment by results system in 2005/06, reduced form the original target of 90%. The maximum level of savings that can reasonably be required of an above-tariff hospital during the transition period will now be 2% per year, reduced from the original suggested target of 3%.

THE RECOVERY OF NHS COSTS IN ALL CASES INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY COMPENSATION: A CONSULTATION OF THE DRAFT REGULATIONS

Department of Health

London: 2004

The proposed regulations would enable the NHS to recover the costs of treating people injured at work from their employers' insurance, in all cases where personal injury compensation is paid.