'Medical opinions ignored' by NHS payment assessor, workers say

[Northerner]

Medical opinions have been ignored in the assessment of NHS payments to patients receiving care, it is claimed.

Three health workers said an assessor organisation discounted medical views so some patients were denied NHS care.

Norman Lamb MP said England-wide data obtained by the BBC showed a "regional disparity" and was "an injustice".

However the assessor organisation, Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU, says it follows national guidelines to decide on payments.

Under national criteria, the NHS pays for long-term support and care if a patient's condition is severe enough.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41187615

 

[mikeyB]

I'm so glad I live in Scotland. 'Frank's Law' has just been introduced. Frank Kopel was a footballer who developed early Alzheimer's. His later care had to be paid for until he was 65. It then became free. He died less than a week later. His wife had campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law, and it has now happened., so under 65s can get free care.

This was a big story in Scotland. I think the English press ignored it, because of the difference between a country that looks after its folk, and one that doesn't.

This is an absolute scandal, why aren't folk in the streets protesting?