There have been some recent reports that a major city’s NHS Walk in Centre has been charging patients £25.00 to treat whiplash injuries. There is now concern that this trend could follow through the other NHS services.
A local counsellor in the city has slammed the charges quoted as saying they were “disgraceful” and “…flies in the face of the basic NHS values of healthcare being provided free at the point of use”
The city’s cabinet member for health, care and independent living has also stated she is “very concerned” about the charges.
At present operation of the city’s NHS Walk In Centre is contracted to private company, One Medicare, who have stated they are simply following guidance issued by the British Medical Association which relates to private operations such as themselves and not salaried NHS doctors.
However, the government are currently considering proposals to refer all whiplash injuries to a dedicated specialist and not the patients own GP in an effort to reduce the workload of GPs.
Dr Swinyard, chairman of the Family Doctors Association, has spoken out about the significant increase in patients complaining of stiff necks following car accidents – something he refers to as a ‘trend’. He believes that the increase in stiff neck complaints seemed to increase with the arrival of no win, no fee arrangements. As a result, Dr Swinyard feels that doctors are left in a difficult position whereby they need to diagnose an injury even if they suspect fakery.
Rumours of the proposals include suggestions that the specialist would have to confirm a whiplash injury before a personal injury claim could be started.
Claimant groups however have raised doubts over this and a spokesperson representing the industry has stated “…that genuine victims must not be prevented from claiming following the attempt to raise the diagnosis threshold”
GPs and the British Medical Association have also raised doubts stating “the only way this may reduce workload would be if the insurance company told the patient not to go to the GP and instead referred them to this alternative service” and “Patients would also still need the GP to provide a fit note before they could go back to work”
The Ministry of Justice are still to outline the proposals and an announcement is expected in August.
