Tories NHS abuses

Bill if it becomes law. MRS. RENEE SHORT, Labour MP for Wolverhampton NE, yesterday accused Tory members of a parliamentary sub committee of doing 'a massive white-wash job' in a report on National Health Service facilities for private patients.

Mrs Short was herself chairman of the sub-committee of the all-party Parliamentary Expenditure Committee, whose report was issued yesterday.

During the five meetings held to consider the approval of her report, 'the Tories used their voting strength to remove the meat of the report and the 12 recommendations contained in it,' she said.

'As a result of these changes it was necessary to attempt to restore the report in its original form at full meetings of the Expenditure Committee.

'Some drafting amendments were accepted, but the main amendments were voted down by the Conservative majority on the full Committee, most of whom neither read the evidence nor heard the examination of witnesses.' The 12 recommendations included in her original report had also been voted down.

The committee, which inquired into the private patient situation in Britain's hospitals, concludes that private practice operates to the overall benefit of the National Health Service.

'We recognize that, from time to time, abuses may occur as they may in any large organization. We do not condone this situation, but we do not believe abuses to be widespread or of any magnitude.

Witnesses said that apart from trying to get extra beds fo their private patients, some consultants got junior doctors to do their private work, without paying them for it, and stole or borrowed' expensive equipment for their private practices.

The report points out that private patients' charges are adjusted to cover the cost of services of all hospital staff.

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