Legal support to gain access to medical treatment in the current healthcare system is unproductive

Med Leg J. 2019 Jun;87(2):85-88. doi: 10.1177/0025817219845242. Epub 2019 Jun 10.

Abstract

The National Health Service in UK is facing grave financial crisis. Recently, 65% of Acute Trusts have reported a collective deficit of £2.5 billion. This financial crunch has had significant impact on patient care and sustenance of essential healthcare services. In order to thrive, the National Health Service has begun significant rationing of treatment which has become increasingly apparent in recent times, exposing the National Health Service to legal challenges. This article reviews the current state of the National Health Service from a legal perspective.

Keywords: NHS rationing; legal challenge to rationing.

MeSH terms

  • Health Care Rationing / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Health Care Rationing / standards
  • Health Services Accessibility / economics
  • Health Services Accessibility / standards*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Health Care / standards
  • Quality of Health Care / trends
  • State Medicine / economics
  • State Medicine / legislation & jurisprudence
  • State Medicine / standards*