18 July 2003
The government signalled the extension of its patients' choice scheme this week, only for the policy to be attacked immediately by Unison.
Health Secretary John Reid said that pilot schemes had been successful. These had allowed patients waiting more than six months for heart and cataract operations to opt for quicker treatment at another hospital.
And he confirmed that choice would be extended in April 2004 to all patients in England who had waited more than six months for an operation.
Patients would be offered at least one alternative, though there could be as many as four. They could be given the choice of treatment in other NHS, private or foreign hospitals.
The new system allowing money to flow around the NHS is due to be greatly expanded next April to support the development of choice for all types of operation.
Within three years patients will not have to wait six months but will be given the option when they are referred by their GP.
'By offering choice, patients will be given the chance to control their own destiny and can choose the hospital that best suits their needs,' Reid said.
He added that he planned to extend the scheme into chronic disease and maternity services.
However, Unison head of health Karen Jennings said: 'As the government's increasingly criticised patients' choice initiative is introduced, funding is expected to flow to the providers, whether NHS or from the private sector.
'By reintroducing competition between different NHS providers, the government is repeating many of the mistakes of the failed internal market system of the 1990s.'
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