NHS Plans - more contracts for Private sector6 Jan 2025 20:18
PM sets out plan to tackle hospital backlog
"More NHS hubs will be set up in community locations and there will be greater use of the private sector to help reduce hospital waiting lists in England, the prime minister has said.
Sir Keir Starmer also promised patients more choice over where they are treated, as he unveiled plans to tackle the NHS backlog."
"The plan includes:
expanding the network of community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs, to enable more treatment outside of hospitals
making it easier to exercise patient choice - this was introduced 20 years ago but only one out of every four patients believes they are offered a choice of where they are treated
a new deal with the independent sector so more NHS patients can be treated in private clinics, with a particular emphasis on joint operations and gynaecological procedures"
"Sir Keir said: "NHS backlogs have ballooned in recent years, leaving millions of patients languishing on waiting lists, often in pain or fear, lives on hold, potential unfulfilled.
"This elective reform plan will deliver on our promise to end the backlogs.
On expanding use of the private sector, Sir Keir acknowledged "some would not like this" but added: "I'm not interested in putting ideology before patients.""
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgxqnr8yw4o