More patients will have to pay 'top-up' fees for private care because of budget cuts in the NHS and long waiting times, a group of doctors say in a report.
According to the BBC, Doctors for Reform says the idea that health care is free across the UK is now a "political mirage".
The report was written by three doctors, including Karol Sikora, professor of cancer medicine at Imperial College School of Medicine.
Mr Sikora said: "Having to 'top-up' NHS care is a reality for many patients.
"But the political debate continues to perpetuate the mirage of a service completely free at the point of delivery".
Doctors for Reform says it is an independent, non-party group supported by almost 900 doctors.
Its report says patients are developing sophisticated approaches to 'topping up' NHS care with private treatments, including in key areas like cancer and heart disease.
It blames patchy provision of NHS services across the UK, long waiting times and varied quality.
Monday 23 April 2007
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