Save Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Controversy over child referrals

By Graham Satchell

BBC News






The NHS in Milton Keynes is in debt - by 18 million pounds at the last count.

GPs are concerned the initiative could put children at risk

Like many health authorities across the country, it's trying to save money.
But the way it's doing it is proving controversial.



GP's here have been sent a letter detailing the cost of referring children to the local hospital.


It asks whether any of this could be done more cost effectively.
The letter says the trust spent £1.5 million referring children to the local hospital last year
It points out that 79% were discharged within a day and goes on to say "this area of activity was one which was likely to achieve cost savings"

'Value for money'

The letter has horrified local GP Eric Rose.

For him it's a veiled threat to doctors to think twice before sending sick children to hospital.
Dr Rose says: "I think if you're fairly new to the job, you're impressionable, you're given the impression that you're referring unreasonably - you might think again."


"I think it's potentially dangerous. It would only take one child that should go to hospital not to be sent to hospital and for there to be a tragedy and I think there would be a lot of questions asked."

Parents at a local toddlers group were concerned. They thought a child should see a specialist if it was sick - and that money should not be a factor.

There are now fixed prices across the NHS for treating patients in hospital and health bosses in Milton Keynes think the local hospital is charging too much to see children. 

IT BEGS THE QUESTION......................HAS A SIMILAR TACTIC BEEN APPLIED BY CAMBRIDGESHIRE PCT? - THE SHA SAY NO................BUT DO YOU KNOW DIFFERENT?