A week in healthcare: The growing role of the independent sector

This past week has highlighted several key healthcare developments, underscoring the growing prominence of the independent sector in shaping the UK's healthcare landscape.

The independent sector in the spotlight

The independent sector's role in delivering NHS services is under a microscope following new Parliamentary Questions (PQs) tabled by Conservative MP Blake Stephenson. The questions seek to determine the current percentage of NHS services delivered by private providers and the projected figure at the end of the 10-Year Health Plan. Furthermore, they probe whether patients will be able to access NHS-funded private healthcare services through the NHS App. 

This inquiry is a positive step toward policy clarity. The answers will offer a valuable indication of the government's stance on private provision and digital integration. At the Independent Doctors Federation (IDrF), we believe this transparency is crucial. We have consistently advocated for an integrated system where patients have a clear choice of provider, with seamless digital access, regardless of who delivers the service.

The case for collaboration

A powerful endorsement for greater collaboration came from Professor Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. He's been encouraging NHS trust leaders to engage more with the private sector, calling out the NHS's "occasionally inward-looking" tendencies. This aligns perfectly with the IDrF's core messaging. We believe that applying the private sector's agility and innovation can help the NHS overcome some of its most pressing challenges, including elective waiting lists and service modernisation.  

This isn't just about capacity; it's about sharing best practices, fostering cross-learning, and creating a more resilient, dynamic healthcare system for all patients. It's an affirmation that a collaborative approach, not a siloed one, is the path forward.

Private Investment in Infrastructure

Finally, new government proposals to develop up to 200 "neighbourhood health centres" by 2035 reveal a growing openness to private investment in NHS infrastructure. The plan suggests private partners would build and maintain the facilities under long-term contracts, while the NHS would run the services.  

This is a step in the right direction. It shows that the government recognises the need for significant capital investment to modernise the healthcare estate. However, it also underscores the need for policy clarity and robust safeguards to ensure that such partnerships lead to tangible improvements in patient care and are based on outcome-based commissioning. The IDrF is well-positioned to contribute to this discussion, ensuring that these proposals benefit both patients and the wider healthcare system.