Fines for hospitals if they kick out patients before they are well

Under new government plans, hospitals will face financial penalties if patients have an emergency within 30 days after they are discharged from an initial stay.

Andrew Lansley will unveil the scheme on Tuesday in his first major act as the new health secretary.  According to his address, English hospitals will receive pay for initial treatment of a patient, but will not receive additional payments if the patient returns with a related problem.

The announcement is aimed at the debate that patients are facing early discharges in order to free up beds, instead of being discharged once their condition is identified and under control.

The Conservatives have stated in the past that Labour cuts on hospital beds forced the NHS staff to discharge people as needed without proper medical support.

In terms of Lansley’s vision for the NHS, he is also expected to ask that patients be allowed more control over the direction of their healthcare.  Additionally, he also is expected to announce that hospitals need to be responsible for patients’ health in the month following their discharge date.  At the moment, GP’s and primary care trusts are responsible for looking after patients following hospital discharges.

Lansley overall feels that the NHS needs to focus more on providing better care for patients and their safety which he believes is possible by reducing the cost of NHS waste, bureaucracy, and administration.

Among his goals will be developing fund raising techniques to raise money for new drugs such as the highly controversial and expensive cancer drugs.

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