Posted on February 24, 2012 by Phillip Lee

In a Ten Minute Rule Motion in the House of Commons on the 22^nd of February 2012, Dr Phillip Lee MP for Bracknell, proposed to bring in a Bill that would require GPs to issue annual statements on healthcare costs.

The Bill would require the Secretary of State to instruct GPs to issue annually to each person eligible for care provided by the NHS an itemised account of the cost of his or her healthcare in the preceding 12 months: and for connected purposes.

Dr Lee emphasized the need to focus on the demand-side of healthcare provision in times, where healthcare responsibilities should be shifting due to increasing healthcare costs. In terms of cost associated with introducing a simple itemised statement, Dr Lee argues that the bureaucratic costs for the patient would remain low as the information data does already exists. Also the running costs would be around approximately 50 pence per patient a year and estimating a total expenditure for England and Wales of around £30million.

Facing increased obesity, changing demographics and increased treatment costs a significant strain is placed on the current National Health System. Therefore, Dr Lee commented: “The true cost of healthcare must be known by all. That is why I am presenting this Bill to Parliament calling for the introduction of an annual, personalised statement of healthcare costs to be issues to everyone. By doing this, I believe that the British public will be more receptive to NHS changes in the future. The knowledge would be empowering.”

You can read the full speech here