NHS sends thousands of its own staff private | Society | The Observer

The number of hospital staff who are receiving private healthcare treatment paid for by the NHS has prompted accusations that the health service is paying for its staff to queue-jump and raised questions about its ability to provide adequate treatment.

Freedom of information requests sent out to all NHS trusts and hospitals in England reveal that over the past three years 3,337 employees were treated, at a cost to the taxpayer of £1,578,607. The figures – obtained by the Liberal Democrats – show the practice is becoming increasingly common.

In 2006-07, 708 staff received private treatment at a cost of £279,335. The following year, 988 staff received private treatment at a cost of £470,859. Last year, the number jumped to 1,641 staff at a cost of £828,413.

"If the NHS thinks it necessary to pay for private treatment for its staff to jump waiting lists, then it raises serious questions about whether the current system is working as it should," said Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman.

Orthopaedic consultations, chiropody and aromatherapy were among the private treatments received. But those most used were physiotherapy and mental health services, notably cognitive behaviour therapy, private counselling and psychiatric consultations.

"I'm not surprised that so many trusts have to contract in private companies to provide for physiotherapy, counselling and therapy as they are often woefully under-resourced," Lamb said. "The sad reality of our health service today is that, if you suffer from an illness not covered by a government target, then you will still often have to wait months for the care you need."

The Department of Health said that any decision on whether or not to fund private healthcare was taken at a local level by each authority and trust. "There is evidence that early intervention in tackling sickness absence enables staff to return to work more quickly," said a spokeswoman.

Lamb said: "These figures will be little comfort for those people stuck on waiting lists trying to get access to treatment." The Department of Health commissioned a report last year into the use of private health treatments as a cost-effective way of maintaining a productive workforce. The final version of the review, led by Dr Steve Boorman, an expert in occupational health, will be delivered next month.

"Evidence from the Department of Health shows that many people with acute musculoskeletal problems recover more quickly when they are given rapid access to effective physiotherapy, enabling them to return to or continue in work while they recover their health," said Phil Gray, chief executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

"The fact that some NHS staff are receiving private physiotherapy treatment could be explained by the need to reduce the time that frontline staff are off sick and away from their duties. However, it may also indicate a shortage in provision and lengthy waiting lists for physiotherapy."

via guardian.co.uk

Posted via web from Jack's posterous