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Independent sector could benefit hundreds of thousands of people, says NHSPN

Independent sector could benefit hundreds of thousands of people, says NHSPN
19 June 2015



Using the independent sector to re-design health and care services could benefit hundreds of thousands of patients each year, an NHS Partners Network (NHSPN) report launched today says.

Using the independent sector to re-design health and care services could benefit hundreds of thousands of patients each year, an NHS Partners Network (NHSPN) report launched today says.

In 15 Years of Concordat: reflection and renewal NHSPN called for NHS leaders to “become more radical” in asking more of the independent sector in areas such as capital investment and technological innovation.

The Concordat was made by the NHS with the private sector – published in October 2000 – and set out ways in which the sector could support the NHS.

Rob Webster, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “This important report emphasises the contribution made by independent sector providers to the NHS. It allows us to move the debate on and to do what is in the best interest of patients.

“Fifteen years on from the first ever Concordat between the NHS and the independent sector it is clear that the sector is now an important feature of the NHS, delivering services to millions of patients every year, free at the point of use.”

David Mobbs, report author and chief executive of independent sector provider Nuffield Health also supported the report. He said: “Private and voluntary sector NHS providers are already working hand-in-glove with publicly-owned NHS providers to solve the challenges facing the NHS. During the last winter alone, the independent sector made 120,000 procedures available to the NHS to help deal with a spike in demand.

“This support now needs to be put on a more sustainable footing to help give NHS patients throughout the country the care they need whenever they need it, seven days a week.”

This comes on the same day that Jeremy Hunt announced his “new deal” for GPs, re-confirming his plans for a seven-day NHS. 

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