16.02.16
Less than 1% of independent sector extra capacity used by NHS
Less than 1% of the extra capacity offered to the NHS by the independent sector was used in December 2015, according to a letter from the head of NHS Partners Network (NHSPN) to the health secretary.
In his letter to Jeremy Hunt MP, written on February 11, David Hare says that the independent sector offered an additional 55,000 surgical procedures and 200,000 diagnostic tests for NHS patients between 1 September and 31 December 2015, but he estimates less than 1% of that capacity was used.
The NHSPN is a trade association representing for profit and not for profit independent sector providers of NHS services.
Hare said: “Behind every long wait for treatment is an individual patient story and for those patients they want to know that everything is being done to give them quick access to safe and effective care.
“Ministers must now redouble their efforts to make use of all available capacity across the NHS and get waiting times back on track.”
The NHSPN has previously warned that a 32% rise in the value of block contracts commissioned by CCGs threatens government policy that patients should be able to choose their provider for an operation, as reported in NHE.