title: NHS charges. Light on the charge brigade.
abstract: Patients charges form a very small part of NHS income. Governments have often used charges to emphasise their commitment to austerity. Knowledge of the effect of charges on public health, equity and eliminating waste is limited. Both Conservative and Labour health ministers have made attempts to abolish charges.
authors.affiliation: Queen Mary & Westfield College, London University, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eversley
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D017047:Cost Sharing; D005251:Fees, Medical; D017722:Hospital Charges; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000191:economics; D010350:Patient Credit and Collection; D011306:Prescription Fees; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics*; D006113:United Kingdom