Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
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Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
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The financial upshot of the PIP breast implant saga going on at the moment looks to be that the NHS might have to foot the bill not only for patients who received the implants on the NHS but also pati
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Forums » Off duty » News & media » Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
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Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
posted at 13/1/2012 11:44 AM GMT
on bmj.com
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*Moderator*
Posts: 623
First: 7/4/2011 Last: 16/5/2012 |
The financial upshot of the PIP breast implant saga going on at the moment looks to be that the NHS might have to foot the bill not only for patients who received the implants on the NHS but also patients who had operations carrried out by private healthcare providers. The private healthcare companies are refusing to remove them for free and expect the taxpayers to foot the bill for mistakes they should arguably put right. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hBxiGW7TkUR9pOXKpkrY9VxOUI4g?docId=N0922851326287509405A Is this not futher evidence that private healthcare providers are only interested in profit and not the needs of the patient or -even at a basic level - their customer? The argument might be more nuanced than this because it was also the regulatory powers' failing to make sure these implants went through stringent tests. But I believe the NHS can come out of this well in terms of PR. If private healthcare companies are shrugging off all responsibility this shows them up to be uncaring towards their patients/customers. But, by picking up the bill, the NHS can show that it is a caring and humane service. Hopefully in the long run the NHS can pursue the manufacturers of the implants and the private clinics in the court and recoup some of the costs to the people... What do you think... ? |
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Re: Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
posted at 13/1/2012 1:19 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 468
First: 15/11/2008 Last: 28/3/2012 |
Not sure how PR benefits the NHS? They are a free service and therefore good PR or bad PR does not effect a patient going to a hospital. Incidents of MRSA did not see patients walking away. Its hardly as if there is a free competing altenative to the NHS and it is more in the interest of the NHS and government for patients to use private providers as this in turn reduces their cost. If anything joe public would be and are against the NHS (and ultimately the public) picking up the tab on those that for vanity purposes decided to increase the size of their breasts. Only in the case where it was medically needed should the NHS intervene and only after a patient has explored all avenues to have the private provider pick up the tab. This has done more damage to the private health sector than good for the NHS. |
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Re: Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
posted at 13/1/2012 2:01 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 146
First: 16/11/2008 Last: 13/1/2012 |
I don't see how this reflects badly on private healthcare. The manufacturer behaved fraudulently. The NHS uses materials supplied mainly by private manufacturers, and so is no more immune from this than private clinics. The only way this reflects badly would be if the NHS does a better job of checking its suppliers than private clinics do. I've not seen any evidence to suggest cosmetic surgery clinics were negligent in selecting PIP implants. They had every reason to believe that they met the required standards. It's not at all clear that the NHS would have behaved differently. I don't see why private cosmetic surgeons should pay for replacing the implants or correcting problems caused by them. They have done nothing wrong. I realise that it is common for retailers to re-imburse customers for manufacturing faults - the retailer then in turns seeks re-imbursement from the manufacturer. But I'm not sure this relationship holds for all services. I paid a plumber to install a new gas boiler. But when it breaks two years later, through no fault of his, I don't expect him to sort it out for me. Finally, in the case of the NHS picking up the bill, I think that's fine. Whenever a private company does somthing that affects my health, the NHS picks up the bill. That seems reasonable to me. If I burn myself on my new cooker, I expect the NHS, not LG, to pick up the bill.
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Re: Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
posted at 13/1/2012 3:38 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 468
First: 15/11/2008 Last: 28/3/2012 |
And what happens Jon if your cooker explodes leaving you with injuries? Yes, you will be rushed to A&E, but I suspect you will have some issue with the cooker manufacturer. Burning yourself on the cooker or pan is an accident. Putting breast implants in did not happen by accident surely? If not, then I will never sleep soundly with the fear of waking up to a new set of moobs. |
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Re: Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
posted at 13/1/2012 4:09 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 838
First: 12/3/2010 Last: 15/5/2012 |
How can the private providers rest their case on the regulators? I am informed that the usual price for a breast implant is £300, and that PIP implants were sold for £30. Such a low price should have alerted the PPs to a shoddy product. John |
Forums » Off duty » News & media » Can private health providers be trusted after the PIP saga?
