Each year we are allocated an indicative budget that is held by our Primary Care Trust (PCT). This year our budget is in excess of £17,000,000.
The PCT hold this budget on our behalf and amongst other things use it to pay hospitals (Acute Trusts) that provide care for patients we refer. The vast majority of attendances at a hospital attract a fee for which we are responsible. The fees are based on a national tariff known as Payments By Results (PBR).
The cost of your visit depends on a variety of factors, including whether it was as an inpatient or outpatient, length of stay, reason for visit/referral, your age, any other conditions you may suffer from. The guidelines are complicated, with in excess of 1,000 different conditions falling in the national tariff. These are just a few examples:
- Attendance at A&E for a minor problem resulting in discharge: £59.00
- Attendance at A&E for problem requiring investigation resulting in you being admitted: £109.00
Admission with investigation, patient aged 19 and over, length of stay 6 days or less £1,040.00
Removal of tonsils, patient aged 19 and over (no complications) same day: £815.00
COPD/Bronchitis with length of stay less than 1 day: £462.00
First Coronary artery bypass graft (assuming stay in hospital does not exceed 16 days) £7,851.00
Major knee procedure for non trauma (assuming stay in hospital does not exceed 13 days) £4,102.00
Sprains, strains or minor open wounds (no complications) Day case: £491.00
Vasectomy, day case: £531.00
In addition, we also pay for first attendance and follow up attendances at outpatient clinics, for example:
First outpatient attendance for Diabetic Medicine: £216.00
First outpatient attendance for Cardiology: £189.00
First outpatient attendance for Pain Management: £216.00
If you cannot attend your outpatient appointment please contact the hospital to advise them. We are charged if you do not attend