PHIN Chief Executive, Dr Ian Gargan, welcomed the plan:

“As the Prime Minister said when launching making this announcement, the NHS and private sector have long worked together, so this is not a new initiative. However, we welcome this strengthening of the partnership so that patients can be seen sooner and receive either the treatment they need or the reassurance that they do not have a serious condition.

“The government is also aiming to make it easier for patients to exercise choice around where they are treated. This is central to our vision that 'Everyone can make confident choices about their healthcare to get the best outcomes', and applies to all patients, whether they are paying themselves, using private medical insurance or their procedure is being funded by the NHS.

“We already work closely with our colleagues in the private sector and NHS to collect and share data appropriately to ensure healthcare is as transparent as it can be, to improve patient choice and safety. This strengthening of the partnership should mean better data between, and for, the NHS and private sector.”

Helping patients

PHIN publishes a range of information, including profiles of hospitals and consultants operating in the private sector, and a selection of guides to help people better understand their options and what their experience might be.

One such guide is for NHS patients who can choose an independent hospital for their treatment and we recommend that any patients who are about to undergo a procedure on the NHS read this information.