Rishi Sunak
Photo : IANS
A report by the Guardian which did not name the clinic has said that patients of the same clinic as the UK Prime Minister clinic can request home visits from doctors for which they are charged between £400 and £500, depending on the time at which they arrive. The clinic also charges up to £80 for prescriptions.
Why is this relevant?
This report comes amidst huge concerns expressed by citizens over the inadequacy of the public healthcare system, the NHS. The Latest NHS England figures show that most patients have to wait longer for an appointment. Similarly, 41.5% of GP appointments in September took place on the same day, with a further 8% taking place the following day. Notably, 19% of appointments took place between two and seven days after booking, while 13.5% of patients had to wait up to two weeks, and 5% more than a month.
What does Rishi Sunak have to say?
Sunak refused to answer questions at the G20 summit in Bali last week about whether he had private healthcare, saying only that it was “not appropriate” to talk “about one’s family’s healthcare”. Earlier this month during prime minister’s questions he dodged the issue when asked by MPs if he would use a GP or accident and emergency service if he or a family member of his were unwell – or “pay privately” to see someone more quickly. He responded by praising the team at the NHS Friarage hospital, in Northallerton in his constituency, which he said had provided “excellent care” to his family, but did not fully answer the question.
Notably, earlier during the summer leadership campaign, he said, “You wouldn’t expect me to talk about my kids’ medical [history], but of course we use the NHS.”
What does this mean for the country?
