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5 live Investigates

5 Live Investigates

Factual: Consumer

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism, as well as taking on listeners' campaigns and consumer issues

5 Live Investigates: Private hospitals and power of attorney

01/11/2015

Private hospitals and power of attorney

BBC Radio 5 Live - 5 Live Investigates, Private hospitals and power of attorney

Are NHS patients at risk if they opt for private treatment and things start to go wrong?

Every year thousands of NHS patients opt for treatment at a private hospital, but if complications arise how well equipped are they to deal with an emergency?

Every year hundreds of thousands of NHS patients take up the option of having their treatment carried out at a private hospital.  This may seem to be the best of both worlds, but what happens if things go wrong? 

Some private providers don't have the same emergency back-up that is available at NHS hospitals.  When complications arise following an operation without the necessary expertise and facilities to deal with them, the consequences can be tragic. 

And when patients want to know the track record of a private hospital, is the information available to help them make an informed choice?

And, 5 Live Investigates hears about the risks of handing over the management of your financial affairs to a member of your family. As applications for powers of attorney shoot up there is growing concern they can be used to steal from vulnerable relatives.

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