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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Denis Campbell Health policy editor

Charge for hospital stays to help fund NHS, says ex-health boss

NHS Stephen Smith
Staff on a hospital ward
One thinktank warned that payments would be a ‘regressive tax’ that would be expensive to operate. Photograph: PA/Alamy

Patients would be charged £8 a day when in hospital under proposals from a former health service boss to raise more money for the NHS.

Prof Stephen Smith is also urging ministers to bring in charges of £4 to £8 to help cover the costs of medical equipment that patients need, such as hearing aids and walking devices.

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