Patients pay row: More GPs suggesting patients go private as NHS cuts bite

8 August 2012

The family doctors asked people seeking referrals whether they have health insurance, private firm Spire Healthcare found.

Almost 60% of GPs are suggesting patients go private – an increase of 24% in the last year – as NHS cuts bite into hospital treatment.

The family doctors asked people seeking referrals whether they have health insurance, private firm Spire Healthcare found.

Critics claimed the findings are fresh evidence patients are being forced to pay.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: “This is frightening evidence of just how quickly the NHS is breaking up as a direct result of David Cameron’s right-wing reorganisation.

“On his watch, over 100 separate NHS treatments have been restricted.

"Patients are under pressure to pay for treatment or face the decision of going without.”

The GP Council blamed health service cuts to procedures such as hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery and IVF treatment.

Spokesman Dr Richard Vautrey said: “It may be to do with restrictions some Primary Care Trusts are putting in place.”