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News

New IHPN report: Improving Cancer Outcomes - Strengthening collaboration between the NHS and independent sector

20/08/2026

A new IHPN report highlights the growing role of independent healthcare providers in delivering cancer care, from diagnostics and imaging to treatment. With more patients moving between NHS and private providers throughout their cancer journey, IHPN is calling for stronger collaboration, better sharing of patient information and simpler referral pathways to remove unnecessary barriers, improve continuity of care and deliver better outcomes for patients.

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News

IHPN appoints Vicky McNally as Director of Regulation

17/08/2026

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network has appointed Vicky McNally as its new Director of Regulation. Bringing almost three decades of senior leadership experience across regulation, governance, quality and risk, Vicky will lead IHPN’s work on regulation, quality and patient safety.

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Blog

The UK’s Healthy Life Expectancy Challenge - How can Independent Healthcare Help?

11/08/2026

Healthy life expectancy in the UK has stalled, leaving millions of people living more years in poor health. In this blog, we explore the reasons behind the decline and the four key ways the independent sector can help improve outcomes, reduce inequalities, and deliver timely, high-quality care.

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Blog

The Missing Picture: Why NHS Data Underestimates the Independent Sector's Role in Diagnostics

06/08/2026

The latest NHS Diagnostic Imaging Dataset provides an important snapshot of imaging activity, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Our latest analysis reveals independent sector diagnostics providers delivered around 4 million NHS scans in 2025/26 (over 2.3 million more than official data report) and explores why greater transparency is needed to support future NHS planning.

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Blog

Could workplace healthcare schemes become part of the answer to getting Britain working again?

28/07/2026

Could workplace healthcare schemes help tackle economic inactivity? As employers play a greater role in supporting workforce health, workplace healthcare is becoming more than just an employee benefit. This blog explores how employer-funded healthcare, mutual schemes and partnerships with independent healthcare providers could help people stay in work, return to work sooner and reduce pressure on the NHS.

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News

New IHPN report: Building Better Neurodevelopmental Services

20/07/2026

With independent providers now delivering over 50% of NHS-funded ADHD assessments and 1 in 3 of all NHS Autism assessments, IHPN are pleased to share with you our new report – “Building Better Neurodevelopmental Services”. This report looks at the role independent providers currently play in delivery of NHS-funded ADHD and Autism services; as well as the key challenges faced by patients in accessing high quality services.

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Blog

Before Patient Power Payments: fixing the foundations of patient choice

15/07/2026

In a guest blog for IHPN, Olli Potter - Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Picker Group - looks at the recent Government proposals to pilot Patient Power Payments (PPPs) and argues that the foundations of patient choice must be fixed if PPPs are to make a meaningful difference.

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News

IHPN responds to latest NHS performance figures

09/07/2026

“Today’s figures showing a small rise in NHS waiting lists demonstrates what a steep mountain there is to climb if the health service is to meet its target for 92% of patients to receive treatment within 18 weeks by 2029.

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Blog

The NHS Ten Year Plan at One: Progress, Promise and Priorities

06/07/2026

IHPN's Head of Policy (Primary, Community, and Diagnostic care) Joshua Edwards looks at the progress of the NHS's Ten-Year Plan progress one year since its launch, and how it's tracking towards the intended three shifts in the healthcare system: To move care out of hospitals, to drive digitisation and use of technology, and to emphasise prevention over treatment.

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News

GPs support patient choice – but NHS systems are making it difficult to deliver, new report finds

17/06/2026

IHPN's latest report shows that while GPs overwhelmingly support the principle of giving patients a choice of where they receive their NHS treatment, NHS referral systems and administrative barriers are making it difficult to deliver consistently in practice

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News

IHPN responds to record NHS community waiting lists

11/06/2026

IHPN responds to the latest NHS performance figures showing record waiting lists for NHS community services

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News

IHPN announces recruitment for new Director of Regulation

29/05/2026

IHPN, the membership body for independent healthcare providers across the UK, has announced that it is recruiting for a new Director of Regulation, following news that its current Director, Dawn Hodgkins, will leave the organisation in the autumn.

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