Vince Cable

Vincent Cable MP has taken up with local hospitals examples of 'creeping' charges already denounced by the parliamentary Health Select Committee.

On Thursday the West Middlesex Board are set to agree to charge for prescriptions for day surgery patients (they already do for A&E patients).

Vincent Cable said: "What will happen is that patients will be charged for antibiotics and painkillers which they would not pay for if they were in patients. People on low incomes who do not receive free prescriptions will be tempted to skimp on their medicines which may be necessary for recovery."

He is also pursuing the Royal Surrey County hospital in Guildford who charged a local resident (Ms Kerpner) £76 for using the telephone after giving her misleading information on costs: "telephone charges, like parking charges, are one way that cash strapped hospitals can bring in income. But in some cases the charges are ridiculous and can prevent patients keeping in touch with loved ones. The Surrey case is a dreadful example of poor management."