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Local Euro MP: Brussels patient choice plan needs consideration
September 8, 2006 12:00 PM
Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP, Diana Wallis, says European Commission plans for so called 'health tourism' are worthy of consideration but need to be well thought-out before being put into practice.
The publicised European Commission consultation which would allow Britons, along with other EU citizens, the rights to seek health treatment abroad and then bill their own health service.
Speaking on BBC local radio today Diana Wallis MEP said the Commission's plans were interesting:
"Already last year, some 200 Britons used this option sent in most cases by their local health trust for treatment they otherwise wouldn't or couldn't get.
"This is not a high figure and it remains to be seen whether or not large numbers of people would take up this possibility should it be formally introduced.
"While on the one hand it would certainly increase patient choice, on the downside there are clearly implications for NHS funding and also questions surrounding the liability of service providers if things go wrong.
"These questions need answering so that is why I welcome the European Commission's plans to consult widely before publishing a proposal next year."
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