NHS charging outdated and unfair - Lamb

6.22.18pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 29th Jan 2007

Commenting on a statement by the Association of Directors of Public Health that NHS patients should contribute towards the cost of some routine operations, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said:

"This statement highlights how charging has crept into a service that was originally designed to be free at the point of use. The system is confusing, outdated and unfair on the many people who rely on regular medication and tests.

"Time and again, decisions over what types of care should be offered by the NHS have been secretive and hidden. It is often left to health professionals to take ad hoc decisions as the resources on the ground run dry.

"We urgently need an open and honest debate about how care should be rationed in an NHS with escalating costs and demands. This means more long-term planning from the Government and less policy-making on the hoof."