Alan Johnson has made a historic statement in the House today. The review of top-up payments for drugs must find that they are right and acceptable in at least some cases. Once that principle is accepted, top-up payments will become acceptable for treatment too. Suddenly the NHS funding system has fundamentally changed. And for the better: the service would reflect the decisions of doctors and patients working together rather than the bureaucracy.
Doctors for Reform, the campaigning group of 1,000 doctors, issued this statement today:
“This is a historic moment that points the way towards a modern NHS based around the needs of patients rather than bureaucratic rules. NHS doctors are clear that the current policy on top-up payments is unfair. Professor Mike Richards’ review should find that top-up payments are acceptable and right.
Most importantly the review opens the door to a modern NHS funding system which allows both taxpayer and individuals to pay towards health and which covers treatment as well as drugs. This is the model of countries such as the Netherlands, France and Germany which enjoy better and fairer patient care than the UK.
The Department of Health deserves great credit for listening to the public’s opposition to its policy and for understanding their desire to have greater control and choice over their NHS care.”