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 | | Monday, 27 August, 2001, 02:27 GMT 03:27 UK EU backs health care plans  The European Commission has welcomed the UK Government's announcement that it will send British patients abroad for treatment, in an effort to cut waiting lists. Health Secretary Alan Milburn confirmed that in future patients can be treated in fellow EU countries in an attempt to beat lengthy waiting lists at home. The Commission is backing the plans to undo legal obstacles for health authorities, who want to offer care in other European countries. But elsewhere, concerns have been raised that some patients will not be able to benefit. The move to allow patients treatment in EU countries follows a European court ruling which broadens the circumstances under which countries can carry out reciprocal treatment. Question marks It means patients facing "undue delay" in their home countries could seek treatment in other EU states. However, Mr Milburn did not quantify the term, leaving question marks over exactly who would benefit. He says he needs more detailed legal advice before making a decision. Doctors and health managers have expressed concern that some patients, particularly those who are older or frail, will struggle to travel long distances for medical attention.
The Conservatives said the system would lead to those who were more able to argue for the treatment being sent abroad, instead of those who needed the treatment more urgently. Tory health spokesman Philip Hammond said: "Alan Milburn is simply allowing health authorities to send patients abroad if they so wish - and in the process is almost certainly distorting clinical priorities even further." The initiative has been cautiously welcomed by the Patients' Association, although it has accused the government of dragging its heels over the issue. "The government has been prevaricating over this for the last few weeks... Milburn says this new approach will not happen quickly because we require legislation, time to put it in place and so on," said the Patients' Association's Mike Stone. Improving UK care "Let's face it, as we know there are thousands and thousands of patients in this country, people who need orthopaedic treatment like hip and knee operations, who are in daily pain every day." A British Medical Association spokesman said: "In the long term, the solution must be to improve services in this country." Mr Milburn said it would take several months for the changes to be put in place, and may require a change in UK law. He said the "overwhelming majority" of patients would continue to be treated in the UK. He insisted that the government's priority was still to cut waiting lists by investing in the NHS. And he stressed that health authorities and primary care trusts would have to meet the costs out of their budgets, and should use the measure only in the last resort. | |
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