Private firms to bid to run care of patients with long-term conditions

[Northerner]

Private companies will be able to bid for contracts to run every aspect of the care of patients with long-term conditions at a series of pilot sites, under a radical new Government scheme.

Ministers are to put out to tender contracts for six ‘year of care' schemes intended to incentive major providers to keep people out of hospital by making them responsible for the entire patient pathway, under a single budget tariff.

A supporting document for applications from aspiring providers of the schemes provides a list of four potential funding models, including one under which a principal contract holder would then sub-contract aspects of care to other providers.

This model could ‘attract new providers which are able to offer cost-effective, high-quality care', and allow providers to focus on prevention and primary care ahead of expensive emergency treatment, the Department of Health said.

But it admitted there were potential risks to the model too, including potential challenge to implementation from local politicians and possible issues around competition.

http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/newsart...un-care-of-patients-with-long-term-conditions

(free registration required to read full article)

That would be all of us then, plus probably millions more with other chronic conditions. Who would want to bid for such contracts if there was no profit in it for them?

 

[Robster65]

It doesn't take much to keep us out of hospital. Wouldn't do a lot for our quality of life, but they can very cheaply maintain health.

Mixed insulins and 3 tests a day here we come. Just like the good old days.🙄

Rob

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I have a better idea, how about they pay us the patient X amount of pounds per year for staying out of hospital? Tax free of course

Have just reread the article 2 very important questions needs to be asked.
Has anyone actually consulted with the patients concerned?
Is it compulsery that a patient has to partake? ( I would tell em where the bus stop is)

 

[cherrypie]

Doesn't bode well for Type 2's either.
If they don't change the dietary advice and refuse test strips then it will probably be Metformin if diet and exercise don't work followed by the cheapest insulin available. I suppose it will cut down on the number of cars on the road due to more people experiencing hypos.

As we have recently been told about the checks we are entitled to and the new directive for paediatric patients, how will they turn this into a cost effective exercise?

As Rob says, you will get the basics but at what cost to quality of life?

I thought the NHS service was safe with the Condems?

 

[Robster65]

Doesn't bode well for Type 2's either.
If they don't change the dietary advice and refuse test strips then it will probably be Metformin if diet and exercise don't work followed by the cheapest insulin available. I suppose it will cut down on the number of cars on the road due to more people experiencing hypos.

As we have recently been told about the checks we are entitled to and the new directive for paediatric patients, how will they turn this into a cost effective exercise?

As Rob says, you will get the basics but at what cost to quality of life?

I thought the NHS service was safe with the Condems?

If it doesn't make a profit, it'll have to go. No doubt it's what they learnt at the Eton economics debating society.

Rob

 

[cherrypie]

Had a word with my GP about this today.

He said he would pull his hair out if he had any and like most of his colleagues he feels that this is one of the major ideas that will not work. He spends a lot of time with all types of diabetics in his surgery and knows there is no blueprint for care for any of them as there are so many permutations and even if the powers to be choose not to believe it, we are all different in our needs and expectations. There are compliant and non compliant patients and some cost more money than others, usually through no fault of their own. He feels that chronic conditions do cost because they are so complex and trying to save money on care is counter productive as it will lead to complications and more hospital visits.

I replied that perhaps they were not trying to save money and his answer was, "Yea right". He said that private firms are not the NHS. and they are answerable to their shareholders the same as other big business. They will soon drop the idea if it is not cost effective so will probably only want to sign a very short term contract.

 

[trophywench]

DUK 'Big Lobby' - here we come.

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Get_involved/Diabetes-Voices/Take-action/The-Big-lobby/

Now really is the time for All Good Men and Women to come to the aid of the Party.

OUR Party - not a political one.

 

[lauraw1983]

I thought the NHS service was safe with the Condems?

Are you kidding?! They'd be rid of it asap if they could. God I actually hate them.

I haven't read the article yet, will do so later, but say WHAT now?! Is this England and Wales only, or UK based?

They make me so angry.

 

[cherrypie]

Are you kidding?! They'd be rid of it asap if they could. God I actually hate them.

I haven't read the article yet, will do so later, but say WHAT now?! Is this England and Wales only, or UK based?

They make me so angry.

I said that comment tongue in cheek Laura. I do not have any faith in any political party at this moment in time. IMHO politics has lost it's way

 

[Ellie Jones]

The cynic is me says they will take it up....

And for the PHCP, it will be a very short term loses leader indeed...

The tender will go in with a 5/6 year 'we can do, xyz @ this cost per year, with this outcome for the patient' but when the contract is signed, there will be clauses within the contract that enables the PHCP to increase the charge to the NHS/Government... That enables the PHCP to up the cost through the duration of the contract, plus instigate other measures such as patient charging for certain equipment/treatment etc... That ensures that loss is kept to the bare minimum...

Because they will use this route, to ensure that they are getting their foot in the door to the more lucrative contracts!

And the out come for the likes of us..

What's the betting that those like me whose on a insulin pump, will be told that we can continue to use the pump, as long as I pay the difference in cost compared to injecting?