According to research highlighted on the BBC this week, more NHS trusts are missing waiting time targets than at any time since the targets were introduced. If you want to find out how your own NHS trust is performing against three key targets, you can click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41483322 Yet, every day, appointments throughout the NHS are going begging because patients either cancel late or don’t turn up, and at the same time private sector providers have the capacity to spare.
Last month a friend’s mum, 86 years old, was referred by her GP for an echocardiogram. Her NHS appointment came through with a four-week waiting time. In the scheme of things, not too bad, but still a long while when you have worrying symptoms. She was ready to pay direct to a private provider (£400) but when she rang to cancel the NHS appointment she was told that she could have a ‘cancelled’ appointment the next day. As long as the NHS retains an appointment setting system that depends on sending people letters through the post, the slack in the system will continue to be enormous.
Now, through Halo Consulting, businesses and individuals have the opportunity to access a new, cost-effective concept in private medical insurance that fills these gaps, a nurse-led system that matches people to available provision across both the public and private sectors, maximising efficiency and reducing costs. For a business, the benefits are measurable – managing the costs of private medical insurance whilst still providing the rapid access to healthcare that helps employees back to work as quickly as possible, minimising the huge costs associated with absence from work of key staff.
The new scheme blends private medical plans with the NHS e-patient referral system (nee Choose & Book), providing early intervention for people who develop a health condition, navigating a path through the appropriate use of a Private Medical Insurance benefit and private hospital facilities along with optimal use of NHS resources and centres of excellence.
If you are an individual, family or business that wants to find a radical but effective way to reduce your PMI costs, why not get in touch with us?
Call on 0116 366 6866, or connect with us on Social media using the links below!
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