SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf told The Courier he had no idea NHS chiefs ever suggested charging some patients after shock reports about the future of the universal health service.
He said he’d been completely in the dark during a visit to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy on the day it emerged health board executives had discussed the idea.
The claims, reported by the BBC, put more pressure on the SNP Government to address serious financial strain.
The chair of doctors’ union the BMA in Scotland also warned the suggestion is a signal that the country could “sleep-walk” into a two-tier system against the NHS founding principles.
Mr Yousaf and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon quickly said the idea is “not up for debate”.
NHS ‘never been under’ as much strain
Asked if the warning shows the NHS is not working, Mr Yousaf said: “I must make it abundantly clear, while I expect NHS leaders to consider reform, that reform must be within the parameters of the founding principles of the NHS.
“I won’t contemplate any reform that means patients are charged for their treatment or their use of the NHS.
“But you’re absolutely right, the NHS has never been under this kind of strain ever in its existence.”
When the NHS was created in 1948, Labour Health Secretary Aneurin Bevan said it would be a universal health service, available freely.
Mr Yousaf said the modern pressure is caused by people unable to get treated during the coronavirus pandemic and the UK Government’s “mismanagement of the economy”.
‘This has not been mentioned’
He said he has “very regular” meetings with the NHS chief executive and chief operating officer, and said there has “not been a syllable about charging people”.
The health secretary added: “If there was even a thought about that I would immediately respond by shutting it down.
“This has not been mentioned by senior NHS leaders.
“I don’t know who raised this and it was not brought to my attention.”
How will the SNP reduce the strain?
When asked what changes he needs to make to avoid a situation where some will have to pay to access the NHS, Mr Yousaf said treating people closer to home, getting people home from hospital more quickly, and “robotics” are the answer.
He said: “Having people coming into hospital rather than getting their treatment close to home is more expensive.
“And if you are staying in hospital when it is clinically safe to be discharged, then you are not in the best place for you.”
It is beyond doubt that in order to avoid sleepwalking into the two-tier system that threatens this fundamental principle of free healthcare, we need a proper, open conversation about the NHS.
– Dr Iain Kennedy, BMA Scotland
He added: “We can also look at robotic assisted technology.
“That has an upfront cost but it will make savings in the longer-term.”
He said robotics would involve getting devices which can monitor people’s blood pressure, heart rate and diabetes levels remotely in their own home.
He added the Scottish Government will also invest in social care so people are less likely to need hospital care in the first place.
Doctor’s warning
Reacting to the suggestion of a two-tier system, BMA chief Dr Iain Kennedy said the NHS can’t simply do everything the Scottish Government asks.
“We have been extremely clear that our health service should remain free at the point of need and true to its founding principles,” he said.
“However, it is beyond doubt that in order to avoid sleepwalking into the two-tier system that threatens this fundamental principle of free healthcare, we need a proper, open conversation about the NHS.”
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