NHS top-up care ban to be lifted

Some patients choose to go private for part of their healthcare

The ban on giving National Health Service treatment to patients who choose to go private for part of their healthcare is to be lifted in Scotland.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has drawn up new guidance to allow top-up payments in some cases.

At the moment, some patients pay for some treatment privately. However, that can exclude them from receiving other treatment on the NHS at the same time.

In October, Ms Sturgeon promised a review into the system.

She will publish new guidance to make so-called co-payments possible in certain circumstances. Similar changes were announced in England last month.