Patients have 'right' to private care
Patients could get the legal right to private treatment if waiting lists are too long
Patients who are left waiting for treatment on the NHS could be given the right to free private healthcare.
The measure, which is due to be announced as part of next month's Queen's speech, will introduce a maximum waiting time of 18 weeks for treatment and will be coupled with a move that sees cancer patients being able to go private if they have not been seen by an NHS specialist within two weeks of referral by their GP.
According to a report from the Times, the measures could be rushed into law by the next general election.
Former health secretary John Reid said: "I'm delighted with this move. Now that we have hugely reduced the waiting lists and have dramatically cut the waiting times, this is the next logical step in patient power."
He added that it will provide ordinary people with the right to ensure that they get the service they deserve.
Last week, it was reported that almost 100,000 patients have sought diagnoses and waiting list operations in private hospitals funded by the NHS since the "choice" agenda was introduced in April 2008.
The data shows that by August 2009 there were 8,400 patients a month using the private sector.
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