One of my patients has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which has been well controlled for many years. His GP referred him for an appointment in a foot clinic run by the private sector. The patient received a letter cancelling the appointment and advising him to contact his GP to rebook the appointment with an alternative provider. I phoned the hospital to enquire why and was told this was on grounds of his mental health diagnosis. Despite my explaining that his condition was well controlled and would not affect his treatment the hospital persisted in refusing treatment.

It therefore seems that NHS is funding private companies that are allowed to discriminate against patients with mental illnesses.