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December 2011
Dear NHS Supporter

Our NHS treats the sickest patients first, not the wealthiest. But that might be about to change if the government's Health Bill is passed. Please help us to protect a fair NHS - before you get a letter like the one below.

Why should we limit the money NHS hospitals can make from private patients (and oppose clause 162)?
  1. Access to NHS care should be based on clinical need, not ability to pay.
  2. More NHS hospitals will turn NHS beds into fee paying private beds.
  3. Poorer patients will wait longer for NHS care.
  4. It will expand fee-based treatment and the use of co-payments in the NHS.
The Health Bill’s own Impact Assessment admits that “there is a risk that private patients may be prioritised above NHS patients, resulting in a growth in waiting lists and waiting times for NHS patients.”[1] In addition to getting faster treatment, there may well be new services on offer for those who can pay.

Dr Clare Gerada, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, has said, “I worry we're heading towards a situation where healthcare will be like a budget airline. There'll be two queues: one queue for those who can afford to pay, and another for those who can't. Seats will be limited to those who muscle in first. And the rest will be left stranded on the tarmac.”[2]

The NHS is still the best value health service in the world. We must protect its first principle - that we should all have access to healthcare, based on need and not our ability to pay.

What can we do?
The House of Lords is still debating the Health Bill and there is still time to stop this. Please send them a quick message using the 'adopt a peer' site -  saying that you think clause 162 is a bad idea, because NHS care should be based on need and not the ability to pay

If you can please help us to campaign to protect and promote the NHS by making a donation online, or by sending a cheque to the address below. Your support will help to put pressure on our politicians to standby the core ideas behind our NHS. It is a crucial time for the NHS and your help is very much appreciated.


p.s. Find out more about the private patient income (PPI) cap.

[1] Department of Health; Health and Social Care Bill 2011: Impact Assessments
[2] The Guardian, October 20, 2011