Indian deals by
NHS trusts
worry doctors

Labour’s former health secretary Patricia Hewitt, who now chairs the UK India Business Council, said the move would bring mutual benefit to the UK and India who would be able to share expertise, the Independent reported.

The Government yesterday denied claims the plans could lead to NHS patients being flown to India for cheaper treatment.

In an interview with the Health Service Journal, Ms Hewitt said between 10 and 20 trusts are in talks with Indian companies, mainly regarding doctor swaps.

Dr Kailash Chand, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association, called the proposals a “huge scandal”.

“If trusts do not have enough money to treat patients in Britain, they should be getting help from the Government,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“I am extremely concerned that the next step will be patients being flown to India for treatment because these trusts think that it could save them money.”

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “We have no intention to send NHS patients to India for treatment.

“NHS patients will always come first, but we should help and support the health service to compete internationally for the benefit of its patients in England.

“Under no circumstances will the quality of NHS services at home be compromised by the sharing of NHS expertise abroad.”