PCT forced to u-turn after MP intervenes
Added 05/02/2010Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT has been forced to back down on its plans to make patients use expensive Independent Sector Clinical Assessment and Treatment Services (ISCATS) rather than services available through local hospitals.
Rochdale MP Paul Rowen took up the issue after recently receiving a letter from a local constituent and member of the Rochdale West Cluster Patient Forum Group raising their concerns about the decision that had been taken by the PCT.
At their December meeting, the PCT decided that GPs would be forced to refer patients to ISCATS rather than offering them a choice of treatments at local hospitals in and around Rochdale. This was because the Strategic Health Authority had entered into expensive contracts with the company running the ICATS but patients were not using them preferring to use their local hospital.
Mr. Rowen said: “The proposal to force patients to use ICATS is in my view illegal. Under the NHS Constitution patients have a right to choose where they want to be treated. It might include the private sector facilities provided by ICATS but more importantly it has to include a local hospital.
This is a massive blow against the creeping privatisation of our NHS. I hope now that GPs will use the freedom and ensure patients are aware of where they can be related – and not automatically choose the PCT.”