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EU health right 'inequality risk' | EU health right 'inequality risk' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The right to access healthcare across Europe could worsen health inequalities if patients are not given the right advice and support, peers say. | The right to access healthcare across Europe could worsen health inequalities if patients are not given the right advice and support, peers say. |
The European Commission has put forward proposals to make it easier for EU patients to go abroad for treatment. | The European Commission has put forward proposals to make it easier for EU patients to go abroad for treatment. |
But the House of Lords' EU Committee said the rich and educated would be advantaged unless fair funding and information systems were put in place. | But the House of Lords' EU Committee said the rich and educated would be advantaged unless fair funding and information systems were put in place. |
Patients' groups are also concerned about the issue of access. | Patients' groups are also concerned about the issue of access. |
The commission unveiled its plans last year, although it will be several years before they come into force as they need to be ratified by EU leaders. | The commission unveiled its plans last year, although it will be several years before they come into force as they need to be ratified by EU leaders. |
All EU citizens, not just the wealthy or well informed, must be able to benefit Baroness Howarth of Breckland, of the House of Lords' EU Committee | All EU citizens, not just the wealthy or well informed, must be able to benefit Baroness Howarth of Breckland, of the House of Lords' EU Committee |
Under the proposals, patients would be able to claim up to the amount their treatment would have cost in their home country. | Under the proposals, patients would be able to claim up to the amount their treatment would have cost in their home country. |
The commission acted after several court judgements in favour of patients seeking treatment outside their home country. | The commission acted after several court judgements in favour of patients seeking treatment outside their home country. |
In particular, a European Court ruling in 2006 said the NHS should reimburse a woman for a hip replacement operation she had in France. | In particular, a European Court ruling in 2006 said the NHS should reimburse a woman for a hip replacement operation she had in France. |
Currently, only emergency treatment is offered routinely on a cross-border basis, although the NHS does pay for care abroad where patients face an "undue delay". | Currently, only emergency treatment is offered routinely on a cross-border basis, although the NHS does pay for care abroad where patients face an "undue delay". |
However, the numbers applying under this system only reach a few hundred each year because of the progress made over waiting times in recent years. | However, the numbers applying under this system only reach a few hundred each year because of the progress made over waiting times in recent years. |
Choice | Choice |
The European proposals go much further than this system by placing the onus on a health service to justify blocking treatment abroad. | The European proposals go much further than this system by placing the onus on a health service to justify blocking treatment abroad. |
They were designed to allow patients the choice to access the best and quickest possible specialist care. | They were designed to allow patients the choice to access the best and quickest possible specialist care. |
The Lords committee welcomed the move, but said certain safeguards needed to be put in place. | The Lords committee welcomed the move, but said certain safeguards needed to be put in place. |
It said doctors and dentists needed to be given responsibility for explaining to patients about their entitlements. | It said doctors and dentists needed to be given responsibility for explaining to patients about their entitlements. |
To help them do this, the committee said member states should be compelled to provide information on how their health systems work. | To help them do this, the committee said member states should be compelled to provide information on how their health systems work. |
The report also said funding mechanisms needed to be resolved - as yet there is no firm agreement on what should be done. | The report also said funding mechanisms needed to be resolved - as yet there is no firm agreement on what should be done. |
It called for NHS trusts to pay for the treatment rather than expecting patients to fund it and then apply for a reimbursement as the initial financial outlay could act as a disincentive to many. | It called for NHS trusts to pay for the treatment rather than expecting patients to fund it and then apply for a reimbursement as the initial financial outlay could act as a disincentive to many. |
Baroness Howarth of Breckland, chairman of the panel which looked at the issue, said: "All EU citizens, not just the wealthy or well informed, must be able to benefit." | Baroness Howarth of Breckland, chairman of the panel which looked at the issue, said: "All EU citizens, not just the wealthy or well informed, must be able to benefit." |
And Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, added: "You need access to good information and our concern is over who will provide this. | And Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, added: "You need access to good information and our concern is over who will provide this. |
"Without this most people will not feel comfortable making the choice and it will just end up something that is used by the few." | "Without this most people will not feel comfortable making the choice and it will just end up something that is used by the few." |
Paula Pohja, of the consumer group Which? added: "Seeking healthcare treatment abroad shouldn't be an ordeal. | Paula Pohja, of the consumer group Which? added: "Seeking healthcare treatment abroad shouldn't be an ordeal. |
"Consumers need clear information and assistance." | "Consumers need clear information and assistance." |
A Department of Health spokesman said the government welcomed the report. | |
He added: "We will be considereing the reporrt's findings carefully and the government will respond formally in due course." |
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