APPENDIX 16
Supplementary evidence by Mr John Fieldhouse,
Federation of Independent Practitioner Organisations (35A)
At the Health Select Committee hearing on Thursday
6 December Members raised concerns in relation to instances reported
by their constituents of Consultants seeking to promote their
private practices during NHS consultations. In response I indicated
that FIPO would consider such behaviour, if initiated by the Consultant,
to be totally inappropriate. However in the further discussion
it became evident that in some of the instances raised by Members
the discussion had arisen as a result of an initial enquiry from
the patient involved.
I think that members of the Committee may not
be aware that in many NHS hospitals, Trust management advertise
private practice facilities in the outpatient and ward areas in
order to promote and maximise income from their Private Patient
Units. I enclose an example of such literature that is available
throughout my own Trust hospital. It will be evident to Members
that such literature may stimulate patients to discuss the availability
of private care with Consultants who are expected to respond to
such enquiries, although such discussions may then be misinterpreted
or misrepresented. I would therefore submit that often the accusations
made against Consultants arise as a result of circumstances which
are not of their making but to which they are expected to respond.
I hope that this information is of assistance
to the Health Select Committee. May I thank you for the opportunity
to give evidence and assure the Committee of the continued availability
and willingness of FIPO to be of assistance in this and future
enquiries.
11 December 2001
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