Alzheimer's Society condemns putting costs ahead of care

Published 15 August 2008

According to the HSJ, Care Quality Commission chair Baroness Young has pledged to crack down on NHS organisations that fail to adopt National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance.

Ignoring guidelines could result in marked-down annual assessment ratings and lower pay, she told the journal in her first interview in her role at the new health and social care regulator.

Alzheimer's Society comment by Neil Hunt, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society,

Doctors take an oath to put the interests of their patients first. The only way doctors can uphold their oath and comply with NICE guidance is if NICE reaches the right decision.

NICE methodology must be improved alongside any suggested enforcement policy if we are to ensure doctors aren't forced to make the wrong decisions for the wrong reasons.

We hope the new health and social regulator won't put cost ahead of care.

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

ENDS

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Reference: Alzheimer's Society comment on "Watchdog chair to get tough on obeying NICE rules". Health Service Journal, 14 August 2008.