Call to better regulate private healthcare

Call to better regulate private healthcare

By Nigel Thompson
Health Correspondent for BBC South East Today

The examination in the summer of 2002 failed to detect the cancer

The National Consumer Council is supporting calls being made by a woman from Sussex for better regulation of private healthcare.

Bernadette Clements-Jewery, 50, from Wadhurst, claims a doctor who carried out an examination of her failed to spot the ovarian cancer which she is currently being treated for.

Mrs Clements-Jewery said the condition went undetected during the examination in the summer of 2002 at a BUPA hospital. It is a claim BUPA deny.

On Wednesday Saranjit Sihota, the senior health policy officer for the National Consumer Council, said it was wrong that public and private healthcare is currently subject to different regulations.

It is very well-known in the medical profession that ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose

BUPA

She said: "At the moment NHS patients can take complaints through the Health Ombudsman. That's not the case in private healthcare.

"There should be a single point of action, regardless of sector."

But BUPA say it is regularly monitored and that in order to gain registration with the National Care Standards Commission.

In a statement BUPA said: "We are very concerned about Mrs Clements-Jewery's illness and undertook a comprehensive review of her case last year.

Gaps in undertsanding

"All our health assessment doctors are experienced general practitioners who undergo regular audit of their clinical practice.

"All BUPA Wellness centres are registered with the National Care Standards Commission and are required to pass regular inspections.

"It is very well-known in the medical profession that ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose.

"There are still gaps in understanding of the disease and there is currently no suitable screening test for early detection.

"For these reasons, sadly it is not uncommon for ovarian cancer to be diagnosed at a late stage."

However changes are planned as part of the newly introduced Health and Social Care bill in the shape of two new commissions to oversee standards in health and social care.