NORWICH UNION PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE

Early day motion 53, tabled 17 November 1999 by David Hinchliffe (Labour). Signed by 40 members.

That this House notes with concern the Fair and Square private medical insurance scheme launched by the Norwich Union, which offers the insured cash payments of ú250 per day or night spent in hospital if the NHS rather than a private facility is used, or ú70 a day if a hospice is used; recognises that such a scheme, offering an inbuilt financial incentive to use the NHS, will further add to waiting lists, actively encouraging the use of NHS in-patient facilities when alternatives in primary care or the community may be more appropriate, and completely undermines the claim that private medical cover somehow raises obvious concerns about the possibility of financial inducements being offered to NHS staff to secure admissions; and calls upon the Norwich Union to recognise the damaging effects of this scheme and withdraw it immediately.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 6, Labour/Co-operative 2.