False patient choice will lead to further NHS chaos - Webb

6.54.56pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 31st May 2006

Responding to the announcement by the Government that patients will be able to choose from a list of national as well as local hospitals when they need treatment, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Steve Webb MP said "At a time when many NHS Trusts are struggling to balance their books, it is a high-risk strategy to introduce yet more volatility into the system. The Government seems hell-bent on destabilising an already fragile NHS, and seems to have no strategy for dealing with the consequences of its own policies.

"Patients will welcome extra choice, but their top priority is quality healthcare close to home. If choice means more people shopping around for healthcare, what will be the future for less popular hospitals? Is the Government prepared to see hospitals close as a consequence?

"There are still many unanswered questions about patient choice. Why do private sector treatment centres get more money than NHS hospitals for carrying out the same procedure on the same patient? How many 'patient choice advisers' will be needed to help patients deal with the complex new system, and how are cash-strapped NHS trust meant to deal with the extra financial instability that will result from more shopping around by patients?"