Monday 1 August 2022 10:15 AM Rishi Sunak's £10 fine for patients who miss NHS appointments would only 'make ... trends now
Rishi Sunak's proposed £10 fine for patients who miss NHS appointments would only 'make matters worse', health bosses have warned.
As part of his quest to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, the Tory leadership hopeful insisted the policy would stay in place until backlogs are cut to manageable levels.
But influential voices working in the health sector said it was 'terribly disappointing' that the move was even suggested.
The British Medical Association described it as a 'reheated idea of no practical value', claiming it has 'always stood firmly against the idea of charging patients for missed appointments'.
Dr Philip Banfield, BMA council chair, said: 'This latest suggestion would likely make matters worse.
'Charging patients for missed appointments would not only undermine the essential trust between doctor and patient, but ultimately threaten the fundamental principle that the NHS delivers free care at the point of need, for all.'
Meanwhile, NHS Confederation, which represents the entirety of the health network, argued the costs of Mr Sunak's proposed scheme 'could well far outweigh the money brought in by the fines'.
More than a million GP appointments in England are missed every month, according to official statistics illustrating the problem.
As part of his quest to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, Tory leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak insisted the policy would stay in place until backlogs are cut to manageable levels
Each consultation costs the NHS the equivalent of £30.
A similar problem exists for hospital outpatient appointments, which would also fall under the ex-Chancellor's proposed penalty rule.
Announcing his pledge in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, the 42-year-old claimed patients would be given the benefit of the doubt the first time they miss an appointment.
But they would be charged £10 for failing to attend any subsequent appointments without providing sufficient notice.
Mr Sunak, who faces rival Liz Truss in the second Tory leadership hustings tonight, stressed penalty payments are 'the right thing to do when we've got people crying out for treatment'.
Although contentious, it is not the first time the idea of patients being slapped with fines for missing appointments has been mooted.
In 2015, former Health Secretary and Sunak-backer Jeremy Hunt said he didn't 'have a problem with the idea of charging people for missed appointments'.
He argued it was time for the public to take 'personal responsibility' for how precious NHS resources are used.
Although contentious, it is not the first time the idea of patients being slapped with fines for missing appointments has been mooted. In 2015, former Health Secretary and Sunak-backer Jeremy Hunt said he didn't 'have a problem with the idea of charging people for missed appointments'
