News and media

NHS fails to meet target to stabilise waiting lists

Date of publication: 9th May 2019

Categories: Latest news

In response to today’s NHS England performance figures which show the NHS has failed to meet its target to stabilise waiting lists for elective treatment, David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said: “Last year the NHS made a clear commitment to keep waiting lists for routine care stable and to halve the number of people waiting over 52 weeks for treatment – fully funded through allocations made in the Chancellor’s 2017 Budget. “While it’s welcome that...

New FOI figures show low levels of NHS competitive tendering

Date of publication: 29th Apr 2019

Categories: Latest news

New research conducted by IHPN has found that services awarded by competitive tender make up less than 2% of total CCG spending on NHS clinical services, despite the NHS seeking to change to law to free the health service from “overly rigid procurement requirements. At a recent Health Select Committee evidence session as part of their inquiry into potential legislative changes in the NHS, Simon Stevens, NHSE Chief Executive, stated that their reforms are needed to give health commissioners greater...

IHPN response to NHS pay deal row

Date of publication: 23rd Apr 2019

Categories: Latest news

Responding to news of a row between NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care over the funding of a pay rise for staff in NHS public health services, David Furness, Director of Policy at IHPN said: “Last year the Government rightly committed to ensuring that all staff on Agenda for Change contracts will be awarded a pay rise whether they work for NHS trusts or independent and third sector organisations. However staff on Agenda for Change delivering...

Less than half of public aware they have a choice of hospitals when accessing NHS treatment

Date of publication: 18th Apr 2019

Categories: Latest news

A new poll by Populus found that less than half of the public are aware that they can choose where they receive their NHS-funded hospital treatment despite the legal right to patient choice having been in place for over a decade. While NHS England have committed to ensuring that by 2020 all patients are aware of the choices available to them when choosing their NHS treatment, just 48% of the public are currently aware of these legal rights. Patients have...

IHPN responds to three year anniversary of NHS 18 week target last being hit

Date of publication: 11th Apr 2019

Categories: Latest news

In response to NHS England’s latest performance figures which mark three years since the NHS last met its target to treat 92% of elective patients within 18 weeks, David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said: “Today’s figures mark three years since the NHS last met its constitutional target to treat 92% of elective patients within 18 weeks. This means more patients waiting in pain for vital treatment such as hip replacements and cataracts and represents a...

IHPN responds to Royal College of Surgeons report on safety in independent hospitals

Date of publication: 10th Apr 2019

Categories: Latest news

In response to the Royal College of Surgeon’s position paper ‘Recommendations for assuring standards in the independent sector’, David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said: “Providing safe, high-quality care for patients is the top priority for independent healthcare providers, and in their recent report the Care Quality Commission rated over 70% of acute independent hospitals as good or outstanding. “However the case of Ian Paterson – who worked in both the NHS and the independent sector...

IHPN welcome appointment of Jim Easton to NHS Assembly

Date of publication: 28th Mar 2019

Categories: Latest news

Responding to the appointment of IHPN Vice Chair and Care UK Managing Director Jim Easton to the new NHS Assembly, David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network said: “We’re delighted that Jim has been appointed to the NHS Assembly which will play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of the Long Term Plan and shaping the future direction of the health service. Jim has a strong record in leading both NHS and independent health sector organisations...

NAO report demonstrates desperate lack of NHS elective capacity

Date of publication: 22nd Mar 2019

Categories: Latest news

Responding to the NAO’s report on “NHS waiting times for elective and cancer treatment”, David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said: “Today’s NAO report demonstrates once again the desperate lack of elective capacity in the NHS which is forcing patients to wait ever longer for vital treatment such as hip replacements and cataracts. “It’s now been almost three years since the NHS last met its target to treat 92% of elective patients within 18 weeks and...

IHPN responds to NHS England announcement to trial new NHS waiting times targets

Date of publication: 11th Mar 2019

Categories: Latest news

Responding to the publication of NHS England's "Clinically-led review of NHS access standards", David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said: “It is vital that any future changes to NHS waiting times targets do not dilute patient access to care. The introduction of the 18 week target for elective care was instrumental in cutting waiting times for millions of patients from almost two years to just a matter of weeks. "NHS waiting times targets must be easily...

IHPN welcomes funding commitment for NHS pensions

Date of publication: 7th Mar 2019

Categories: Latest news

Commenting on the recent government response to the consultation on changes to the NHS pension scheme, IHPN Chief Executive David Hare said: “We welcome the news that all relevant employers with staff on the NHS pension scheme will receive national funding to cover the increase in employer contributions, including independent, social enterprise and voluntary providers. IHPN members with staff in the NHS pension scheme will be delighted that they now have certainty about this important issue. “This is particularly welcome...