The health insurance industry says the Government needs to build a
partnership with it to achieve its goal of waiting lists cut to three
months.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has unveiled the Government's “big idea” on NHS
reform by slashing waiting lists.
While some commentators believe the move would deal a devastating blow to
health insurers, the industry maintains bringing down waiting lists should
involve a closer relationship between public and private sector.
Providers are also cynical about the timetable for the Prime Minister's target.
Norwich Union spokeswoman Louise Zucchi says: “I would approach the idea
of three-month waiting lists with caution, given there are thousands of
people having to wait four times as long. Countries where there are no
waiting lists have systems where the public and private sector work
together.”
Standard Life Healthcare managing director Mike Hall says: “The public and
private sectors need to work together if the Government's approach is to be
effective. This partnership is crucial to the success as both public and
private sectors should work together to find the solution.”
Nationwide Independent Medical Insurance Specialists managing director Zig
Malendewicz says: “It won't happen overnight. Also the Government should
define what it means by waiting lists.
“Is it from the time from when you first see your GP or the time between
when you are notified of your appointment with a consultant?
“If it is the latter, they could just notify the patients two weeks before
consultations and create an image that waiting times have been slashed.”
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