News

Poorer people are more likely to lose out when using the electronic booking system for elective surgery such as cataract removal than wealthier people, according to a study undertaken by the University of Bristol.

Researchers from the Centre for Market and Public Organisation (CMPO), say the 'choose and book' system, which will be available to all patients by 2008 whereby they can choose any provider of hospital care, will exacerbate class differences. The study points out that the less well off will be less likely to travel further field for elective surgery, whereas wealthier people are more likely to exercise their right to choose a particular hospital.

The researchers from the CMPO examined which people are most likely to exercise choice by analysing the travel patterns of people admitted to hospital for in-patient to day care in the NHS in 2003-04. Although this was just as the 'choice agenda' began, research findings suggest that there is a large difference between what are termed 'long-distance travellers', the 10 per cent of people who travel furthest. In affluent areas these people travel around 40km for their elective care the comparable distance for those who live in the most deprived areas is below 20km.

Professor Carol Propper of the CMPO explained: 'Our research suggests that without policy effort to overcome biases the choose and book system will perpetuate existing differences between rich and poor. At the very least, GPs in less affluent areas are going to have to be more pro-active in encouraging choice than their counterparts in practices in more leafy suburbs. And perhaps there will need to be a scheme that helps poorer individuals with travel costs.'

Providing exclusive eye care news, information and educational needs every week, including a FREE CET programme. Subscribe to Optician Print Edition.