The former health secretary and Rushcliffe MP Ken Clarke says the Government should not rule out asking wealthier NHS patients to pay more for their treatment. As millions wait for operations as senior leaders across the health service describe the NHS as being in a state of crisis, several initiatives are being taken to try and ease pressures.
Senior staff in Nottingham have previously spoken about new measures being taken in the city, including 'virtual wards' and a focus on he mental wellbeing of staff. But Lord Clarke now says that more drastic measures may be needed as the NHS copes with continued backlogs brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, rising cases of flu and other viruses and strikes.
Speaking to Times Radio's Matt Chorley on Monday, January 9, Lord Clarke said: "I do think, and I would have reacted to this ferociously at any time until the current crisis, we may have to look at some means of the better off patients making some modest contribution to their treatment, which we have always had in the case of prescription charges.
