05 November 2008
Church calls for wider debate on NHS following Government top-up decision
The Methodist Church has responded to the Government's
announcements to allow National Health Service patients to buy
extra medical treatment not available on the NHS with a call for
clarity and a wider debate about the principles and values of a
universal health system.
The NHS has an enviable history of providing state of the art
healthcare to all, free at the point of delivery, and regardless of
gender, race age or ability to pay.
The decision by the Government raises new questions about equality
and fairness.
Paul Morrison, Public Issues Policy Adviser for the Methodist
Church, said: 'While this announcement is welcome news for some, it
increases the potential of developing a two-tier healthcare system
in the UK. I am concerned that without Government commitment and
vigilance we will wake up some day in the future in a country with
a first class health care system for those who can afford it and an
economy class system for those who can't.
'This decision may lead to challenging ethical questions within
our Churches and wider communities. Drugs such as Donepezil are not
available to NHS patients with early stage Alzheimer's disease. How
do we react to two people sitting on the pew next to each other
both wanting this treatment, but only one is able to afford it?
This raises huge ethical questions for individuals, church
communities and society as a whole.'