SSONHS held a protest outside Virgin Media in Fargate to highlight the increasing involvement of Virgin Health Care as a deliverer of NHS care in England (for example in Sussex and the South West). Another one is planned for August 11th.
Recently the Walk-In Centre (itself run by One Medicare for the NHS) has introduced a charge of £25 for patients wishing to be seen for whiplash. Although it is entitled to do this under road traffic legislation, and there is a broader concern to deter false claims, it is not clear how this charge will be collected (e.g. upfront from patients or with later billing for possible payment by insurers). If the former, then it contravenes the principle that care should be free at the point of delivery.
SSONHS is concerned that this step is merely the precursor for the introduction of charges for many other services which are deemed by the Department of Health, local commissioners (the CCG) or even providers not to be part of essential health care. Cuts and the need to generate income will generate pressure for charges within the NHS while private providers will want to introduce charges for services which will generate more profit.
Join the protest outside the Sheffield Walk In Centre at Broad Lane on 24th July (4.30-6.00 pm).
We are a grassroots movement comprising people from all walks of life who are, or will be affected by the government’s austerity measures and spending cuts to NHS Services across England. We also strongly oppose the creeping privatisation of the NHS by successive governments. Privatisation = Profit not Good Patient Care