Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
GP referrals will be screened by health regulator Monitor for evidence of anti-competitive behaviour.
The watchdog's plans to scrutinise referrals were set out in its official guidance on the procurement, patient choice and competition regulations linked to the Health and Social Care Act, known as Section 75.
Critics of the NHS competition rules described the Monitor guidance document as 'a lawyer's dream', and warned forcing NHS providers to compete for services risked damaging the health service.
Section 75 regulations were opposed by organisations including the BMA, which said they could enforce open competition in commissioning and subject GP commissioners to the threat of legal action.
Opponents said the regulations opened the door to NHS privatisation, and the promotion of competition among providers threatened integration.
http://www.gponline.com/News/article/1225564/gp-referrals-assessed-competition-regulator/
(free registration required)
The watchdog's plans to scrutinise referrals were set out in its official guidance on the procurement, patient choice and competition regulations linked to the Health and Social Care Act, known as Section 75.
Critics of the NHS competition rules described the Monitor guidance document as 'a lawyer's dream', and warned forcing NHS providers to compete for services risked damaging the health service.
Section 75 regulations were opposed by organisations including the BMA, which said they could enforce open competition in commissioning and subject GP commissioners to the threat of legal action.
Opponents said the regulations opened the door to NHS privatisation, and the promotion of competition among providers threatened integration.
http://www.gponline.com/News/article/1225564/gp-referrals-assessed-competition-regulator/
(free registration required)