Independent sector providers carried out 6.15 million appointments, tests and operations for NHS patients over the past year – an increase of almost 500,000 compared with the previous 12 months – according to figures released today by the Department of Health and Social Care.
The sector delivered an average of 19,000 surgical procedures and 100,000 outpatient appointments each week this financial year, treating more than 1.1 million people in total.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the government was committed to using all available capacity to speed up treatment times. ‘I’ll do everything I can to get NHS patients treated faster, free at the point of use,’ he said.
‘This is a principled, progressive position, not just a pragmatic one. We’re not prepared to continue 2-tier healthcare, when those who can afford it get treated on time, and those who can’t are left behind. Wealth shouldn’t determine health.
‘This is just one reform which has helped deliver 5 million more appointments, grown NHS productivity and cut waiting lists by 200,000. We are also investing in growing the NHS capacity, opening up CDCs and operating theatres at evenings and weekends, and bringing in modern technology like robotic surgery.’
According to the data, independent providers now deliver around 10% of all NHS elective activity.
Research by the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), the Patients Association and Arthritis UK found that patients typically had to travel less than 13 miles to cut their waiting time by an average of two and a half months.
In the south east, patients needing general surgery such as hernia operations could reduce their wait from an average of 27 weeks to just six by travelling from areas with the longest to the shortest queues.
NHS England CEO Sir Jim Mackey said: ‘The independent sector is playing a vital role in supporting our efforts to bring down waiting lists and ensure patients can get the NHS care they need faster.
‘Thanks to the ambition and hard work of NHS teams, we are seeing early signs of progress with waiting lists falling for the first time in years – but we are determined to go further and faster to improve patients’ experiences and this data shows clearly that maximising use of this capacity is an approach that is working for patients.’
IHPN chief executive David Hare said: ‘These latest figures demonstrate just how important the independent sector is in providing much-needed NHS treatment – delivering around 10% of all NHS elective activity, and a record amount of appointments, tests and scans – all free at the point of use to patients.
‘In committing to better commissioning, patient choice and clear incentives, the recent NHS and independent sector partnership is having real benefits to patients, and by sticking to these principles the government and the independent sector can continue to drive down NHS waiting lists long into the future.’
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