Patients to pay for NHS services

Released 05/07/2010

DH launches personal health budgets

The Government will offer patients cash to pay for their NHS treatments for the first time with the launch of the Department of Health's direct payment scheme last week.

In a pilot revealed by Care Services Minster Paul Burstow, eight primary care trusts will road test direct payments for personal health budgets, giving patients the power to decide how, where and from whom they receive their healthcare, in partnership with the local NHS.

Previously, personal health budgets could only be held by a Primary Care Trust or third party. Under the new structure, the cost of providing direct payments will come from existing funding within PCTs. Direct payments can be paid to patients in a number of ways, including monthly direct payments or a lump sum for a one off purchase such as a piece of equipment.

The scheme is aimed at individuals with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, or heart disease, as well as those that need end-of-life care or with mental health conditions.

Burstow commented: "Direct payments have real potential to improve the lives of individuals with long-term health needs by putting treatment choices in their hands. That is why we are driving forward the commitment in the Coalition Agreement to extend access.

"There is strong evidence from the social care sector that direct payments help achieve better outcomes, and give people more choice and control over the care they receive. It also encourages a more preventative approach. It is a step away from the rigidity of the Primary Care Trusts deciding what services a patient will receive.

"Direct payments will not work for everyone or for all patient groups or services, but we want to identify whether, for whom and how they could offer an opportunity to help achieve the best health and wellbeing outcomes. That is why we are developing this pilot programme. It will stop healthcare from slipping back to the days of one-dimensional, like-it-or-lump-it services."

Concern has been voiced over the outcome for patients who use up their budgets. According to Pulse, patients who deplete their funds will continue to receive NHS care, but managers will be expected to investigate the reasons for the money running out and could be pressured to come up with an explanation. Meanwhile, the BMA is worried this much choice could mean personal budgets are used to pay for alternative treatments unsupported by medical evidence, such as homeopathy.

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