Our view
Nov 08 - UK: Norwich Union Healthcare welcomes government decision on top-ups
Norwich Union Healthcare, part of Aviva, today welcomed the outcome of the government's review of top-up payments, as a first step in providing greater clarity for patients, and in helping to tackle current inconsistencies in practice across the country.
Responding to the government's decision, Dr Doug Wright, Norwich Union Healthcare's head of clinical governance, said: "We welcome this decision and, of course, we will need to look carefully at the precise details of how the changes announced today will be implemented in practice.
"Today's decision reflects the fact that the current system is increasingly unsustainable, given rising costs in medicines and advances in treatments. Allowing patients to top-up their NHS treatment is a pragmatic response to patients' desire to get the treatments and care that they need.
"In the medium term, Norwich Union Healthcare would like to see the Government consider taking into account wider treatment options, not just drugs, to ensure the widest possible group of patients can have access to treatments not currently available.
"We look forward to sharing our experience and expertise, and evidence on the views of customers and consumers with the Government as these new measures are implemented."
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Media contacts:
Lucy Grubb, Norwich Union press office
07800 691935 / Lucy.Grubb@norwich-union.co.uk
Rob O'Halloran, Fishburn Hedges
020 7544 3013 / Rob.O'Halloran@fishburn-hedges.co.uk
Notes to editors:
About Norwich Union Healthcare
Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union, part of Aviva, and now provides a range of private medical insurance, income protection, occupational health and group life products and services that cover over 2,400,000 lives. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
Norwich Union Occupational Health, a sister company of Norwich Union Healthcare, provides occupational health solutions and services to a wide range of industry sectors. By utilising their large fleet of purpose built mobile clinics and approved medical centres, staffed by a team of experienced occupational physicians and nursing staff, the services are designed to meet the individual needs of clients.
Norwich Union Healthcare is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of the Association of British Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
About Health Insurers Counter Fraud Group UK (HICFG)
HICFG is an industry initiative to prevent and detect fraud within healthcare and the insurance industry. The HICFG membership consists of 11 health insurance companies. The inaugural annual conference takes place on 20-21 November in Newcastle and details can be found on the website www.hicfg.co.uk