Good intentions, good idea?
Released 07/10/2008
Is it a good idea to reward patients for visiting their GP?
I've often discussed the idea of patients paying to see an NHS GP with interviewees, but never the notion of patients being paid to visit the doctor.
I think the idea has real merit - the underlying principle of spending now for medium and long term savings is something many PCTs could learn from. And as any practice who has despaired of sending letters to patients with long-term conditions will affirm, sometimes you do need to be innovative to encourage attendance.
By offering rewards such as mobile credits and assistance with fuel bills and- rather than cold hard cash - the PCT can also address other issues such as fuel poverty - joined up thinking indeed.
Critics say its wrong to ‘bribe' people to be healthy, but it's a similar scheme to the popular private health insurance offered by PruHealth which offers lower premiums and discounts on various services if members attend screenings or exercise regularly. If it works for the private sector, why not for the public sector, and why not use the idea to help patients at real risk?
What do you think? Let me know by emailing editor@practicebusiness.co.uk or why not start a debate on our forum