Whilst I note the concerns about private providers that have been raised with me, I can assure constituents, I am committed to the principle that the NHS will always provide healthcare free at the point of delivery, regardless of ability to pay. This principle applies whether NHS-funded care is being delivered by an NHS, voluntary or independent healthcare provider. I know this informed the last Government’s agenda to make our NHS faster, simpler and fairer.
I strongly reject the view that independent sector providers should not be able to deliver treatment funded by the NHS as I believe this approach would lead to much greater delays in patients being able to access treatment when they need it. Independent providers have a vital role to play in reducing NHS waiting times by allowing NHS patients to be treated in a private healthcare setting, freeing up capacity in NHS hospitals.
Under the NHS Constitution, patients have “the right to access certain services commissioned by NHS bodies within maximum waiting times, or for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer you a range of suitable alternative providers if this is not possible.”
It is important that patients are made aware of this right and have access to different providers in their local area. The last Government worked to ensure the NHS had the necessary investment to deliver better care for patients, including funding for new community diagnostic centres, surgical hubs and mental health urgent and emergency care facilities.
I do share the concerns highlighted in the recent Sunday Times report about the harm suffered by patients who have been treated for cataracts by CHEC. It is vitally important that any provider of eye care – whether NHS or private – maintains the highest standards of patient care and safety, and it is right that the NHS Counter Fraud Authority is currently investigating alleged irregularities in costs paid by the NHS for operations to treat cataracts.
I am reluctant to comment further whilst the investigation is taking place, but will be carefully monitoring any further developments. It is also important to recognise that no clinicians have raised individual concerns about any other private provider of cataract surgery to the national pathway for cataract care.
I share the desire for our NHS to deliver the best care and drawing on the extra capacity and expertise offered by private providers will help to achieve this ambition. Since taking office, I welcome that the Labour Government has recognised the importance of independent sector capacity in reducing NHS waiting lists. Ultimately, I believe that independent sector providers have an important role to play and this in no way challenges the fundamental principle of the NHS.
