EU ruling highlights failure of government targets - Webb

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th May 2006

Commenting on the ECJ ruling that the NHS should not refuse to refund costs of overseas treatment if patients waited longer than clinicians advised, Liberal Democrat Health Secretary, Steve Webb MP said "This ruling confirms that arbitrary waiting time targets are more about political point scoring than the needs of patients.

"Clinical need, not adherence to Whitehall targets, should be the basis for treating patients.

"The verdict's significant financial implications may be potentially damaging for the NHS at a time of huge deficits.

"The NHS is not in a position to pay for healthcare abroad on demand, but if a clinician advises treatment and this cannot be provided at home, then the NHS may now have to cough up.