UK consultants?fees for private work are amongst highest in world
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《英国医生杂志》
Consultants in the United Kingdom charge the highest fees in major developed nations for private work, a new study shows. But the government抯 introduction of foreign healthcare providers into the United Kingdom will force them to cut their fees.
Research jointly commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare and the Financial Times shows that UK surgeons are paid up to 59% more in private fees for the most common procedures than their counterparts in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Germany (Financial Times 2003 December 29: 1).
While the survey results were issued with a warning that they had to be "interpreted with care," because of the different ways that health care is provided in each country, the survey found that UK surgeons were paid 22% more for hip replacements than the average fee in the other countries.
For hysterectomies, haemorrhoid removal, and hernia operations UK surgeons were paid 35% more than the average. But for heart bypass grafts, cataract removal, and tonsil removal they received up to 59% more than the average.
Norwich Union Healthcare抯 business development director, Tim Baker, said that the relatively low salary paid to consultants by the NHS梒ompared with other professionals such as lawyers and accountants梞eant that they tended to charge more for their private work to make up the difference.
He said this explained why foreign firms bidding for the new contracts to carry out NHS surgery were able to undercut UK bidders every time.
"UK consultant fees are significantly out of line, but as more capacity comes in from foreign providers this year and into 2005 that will change," he said.
Foreign diagnostic and treatment centres will create extra NHS capacity, and they are offering to carry out private work, which will put more pressure on UK consultants.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that the new contract for consultants would mean that NHS consultants receive major pay rises for doing NHS work but declined to comment on the fees charged by consultants for private work.
The British United Patients Association (BUPA), one of the largest independent healthcare providers in the United Kingdom, agreed that consultants?fees are higher in this country than elsewhere. In a statement the company explained, "In the private sector patients are always seen by a consultant, which is more expensive than seeing a member of their team."
BUPA emphasised that it charged fair rates for work done to help clear NHS waiting lists. "It抯 important to differentiate between the private sector charges and the costs charged to the NHS for work carried out to help clear waiting lists such as at the Redwood , managed by BUPA. Where health care can be planned under long term contracts there is an economy of scale. We are always looking at ways in which we can reduce costs without compromising high quality health care."
Derek Machin, chairman of the BMA抯 private practice committee, acknowledged there was some truth in the survey抯 findings.
"To some extent this reflects the extent purchasers in other countries have been more successful in forcing down prices than in the UK. But this is not a cheap country. It is necessary to look at the expenses involved in practice, which tend to be high, especially if it is a small practice," he said.(London Mark Gould)
Research jointly commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare and the Financial Times shows that UK surgeons are paid up to 59% more in private fees for the most common procedures than their counterparts in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Germany (Financial Times 2003 December 29: 1).
While the survey results were issued with a warning that they had to be "interpreted with care," because of the different ways that health care is provided in each country, the survey found that UK surgeons were paid 22% more for hip replacements than the average fee in the other countries.
For hysterectomies, haemorrhoid removal, and hernia operations UK surgeons were paid 35% more than the average. But for heart bypass grafts, cataract removal, and tonsil removal they received up to 59% more than the average.
Norwich Union Healthcare抯 business development director, Tim Baker, said that the relatively low salary paid to consultants by the NHS梒ompared with other professionals such as lawyers and accountants梞eant that they tended to charge more for their private work to make up the difference.
He said this explained why foreign firms bidding for the new contracts to carry out NHS surgery were able to undercut UK bidders every time.
"UK consultant fees are significantly out of line, but as more capacity comes in from foreign providers this year and into 2005 that will change," he said.
Foreign diagnostic and treatment centres will create extra NHS capacity, and they are offering to carry out private work, which will put more pressure on UK consultants.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that the new contract for consultants would mean that NHS consultants receive major pay rises for doing NHS work but declined to comment on the fees charged by consultants for private work.
The British United Patients Association (BUPA), one of the largest independent healthcare providers in the United Kingdom, agreed that consultants?fees are higher in this country than elsewhere. In a statement the company explained, "In the private sector patients are always seen by a consultant, which is more expensive than seeing a member of their team."
BUPA emphasised that it charged fair rates for work done to help clear NHS waiting lists. "It抯 important to differentiate between the private sector charges and the costs charged to the NHS for work carried out to help clear waiting lists such as at the Redwood , managed by BUPA. Where health care can be planned under long term contracts there is an economy of scale. We are always looking at ways in which we can reduce costs without compromising high quality health care."
Derek Machin, chairman of the BMA抯 private practice committee, acknowledged there was some truth in the survey抯 findings.
"To some extent this reflects the extent purchasers in other countries have been more successful in forcing down prices than in the UK. But this is not a cheap country. It is necessary to look at the expenses involved in practice, which tend to be high, especially if it is a small practice," he said.(London Mark Gould)