British Nursing News Online

WWW.BNN-ONLINE.CO.UK

Saturday, 20 April 2024

Tuesday, 26 April 2005 12:18

BNN: British Nursing News Online · www.bnn-online.co.uk

Scotland’s NHS to follow English example

Scotland’s health service is to adopt English style reform in a bid to tackle waiting lists, it was revealed today.

Tony Blair has repeatedly cited the failures of the Scottish NHS in highlighting the success of reform in England.

First Minister Jack McConnell will impose an internal market system on the Scottish NHS, using national tariffs for each operation in a bid to eliminate the stark difference in charging by hospitals carrying out the same procedure.

It is believed the reforms will be phased in slowly but could be underway as early as spring next year in a move likely to be met with strong opposition in the Scottish Parliament.

Under the new scheme, hospitals will adhere strictly to the tariff set for each procedure in order to make clear the real cost of NHS treatment.

The costs will be made public, revealing inefficient and overcharging hospitals, and allowing private clinics to provide services if they can better the NHS tariff.

Scotland’s Health Minister Andy Kerr said the move would allow comparisons of cost and performance both between hospitals and with private healthcare providers.

The system will put more pressure on Scotland’s hospitals to reduce waiting lists or face having their patients transferred to a private clinic that meets NHS financial and quality standards.

- 0 comments on this story

Sponsored by The Nursing Portal