Hospitals will have up to 10 per cent of their income based on patient satisfaction, the Health Secretary has announced. Andy Burnham set out his vision of the NHS until 2015 and said some payments would be withdrawn if unsafe care was found. Under his plans, hospitals could face tough financial conditions in the next few years, with the amount they are paid to treat patients frozen until 2015. Mr Burnham denied this would result in hospital closures but said they would have to find ways of working more efficiently. He wants to see more patients treated in the community, which is cheaper than providing hospital care, as the NHS strives to save billions in the next few years. As a result, patients with long-term conditions, including cancer, could be given dedicated one-on-one carers to help oversee their health. Also today, Mr Burnham suggested NHS staff could be given a guarantee of employment in return for flexibility at work and accepting a pay cap. He stressed patients should be at the forefront of what the NHS does.
