GPS paid to cut hospital referrals
DOCTORS are being given cash incentives to keep patients out of hospital, under an agreement last night condemned by patients’ groups.
An investigation has revealed a quarter of the country’s NHS authorities introduced “cashback” for local surgeries that managed to cut the number of patients referred to hospital.
Some practices can keep up to half of the savings generated from sending fewer patients to hospital for surgery. Others receive an £5 extra for every patient kept out of hospital, if referrals are cut by 10 per cent, under a £1.4million scheme. Patients’ groups said the policies were “truly disgusting”, while leading GPS described them as “ethically questionable” and called for them to be stopped. The revelations coincided with polling that showed satisfaction with doctors had slumped to the lowest level in 35 years.
Think tanks said the findings from the British Social Attitudes survey
were alarming, with a service “really in decline” showing satisfaction levels falling seven per cent in just one year.
Freedom of Information disclosures from 181 clinical commissioning groups reveal 44 offer financial incentives to cut hospital referrals.
The investigation by Pulse revealed 11 schemes where sums paid were linked to cutting referrals. CCGS said the aim was to reduce unnecessary referrals, improve patient outcomes and reinvest savings in services, not pay GPS.
But schemes were operating in NHS areas including Coastal West Sussex, Enfield in north London, West Leicestershire, Barnsley and Rotherham.
Dr Peter Swinyard, the chairman of the Family Doctor Association, said the schemes were damaging patient care, and should be stopped. “It means GPS are paid to not look after them,” he said. “It’s a serious dereliction of duty, influenced by CCGS trying to balance books.”
Prof Helen Stokes-lampard, of the Royal College of GPS, said GPS did not need ethically questionable initiatives that prioritise savings over patient care.
Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said: “It’s disgusting – the very idea of cashback for GP practices that don’t refer patients to hospital undermines any trust between patient and doctor.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Patients must never have their access to necessary care restricted. We would expect local CCGS and NHS England to intervene immediately if this were the case.”