A Health Ministry initiative, to be submitted as legislation in Parliament in the coming weeks, will allow doctors to conduct paid surgeries at state hospitals in the afternoon as part of a bid to shorten waiting lists while also boosting health sector funding.
The scheme, which was mooted last year, was announced on Thursday by Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis.
It will chiefly benefit patients who have the financial means to cover the doctors’ fees but will also indirectly help other patients as waiting lists for morning surgeries will be reduced.
A portion of the doctors’ fees for afternoon surgeries will go into the coffers of the hospital in question.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_27/02/2014_537775Excellent idea. Here's how it will work:
You pay for a private consultation, which takes place p.d.q. The doctor examines the size of your bank account, minus his fee. Within five minutes the doctor realises you need urgent medical attention and sees his next private patient.
You wait for an 'NHS' appointment. And wait. The doctor gives you a very thorough examination before declaring you're perfectly healthy. Waiting lists for NHS patients get longer, encouraging more people to go private.
A portion of the doctors’ fees for afternoon surgeries will go into the coffers of... an NGO established by ND and PASOK to ensure transparency.
Corruption built-in by design.