With hospitals in Belfast and Ballykelly (as well as in Sligo), Kingsbridge becomes just the second organisation outside England to be given membership and voting powers at PHIN.

Dr Ian Gargan, Chief Executive at PHIN, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kingsbridge as our latest member, especially as it is based in Northern Ireland. It is important that the people of Northern Ireland understand their healthcare options and by joining PHIN, Kingsbridge will be able to help ensure the country is properly represented.

“Kingsbridge’s aim is to improve access to healthcare, and that aligns with PHIN’s vision that 'Everyone can make confident choices about their healthcare to get the best outcomes'.”

Mark Regan, CEO of Kingsbridge Healthcare Group, said: “We were already submitting data about our hospitals, and the consultants who work with us, to PHIN to improve transparency, but we now have a stronger position to represent not just our own group, but the whole of Northern Ireland.

“We look forward to working with PHIN, and its other members, to continue to improve the health of people in Northern Ireland.”

PHIN works with 650+ hospitals and more than 10,000 consultants offering private healthcare across the UK. It collects a variety of data – including patient satisfaction, number and type of operations carried out, along with safety information – and publishes it to help patients make more informed decisions if they choose to use private healthcare. It also publishes a variety of guides for those who need to know more about the sector before deciding whether going private is right for them.