IHPN wins prestigious “UK Association of the Year” award

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) was awarded the prestigious “UK Association of the Year” category at this year’s Association Excellence Awards which took place in Central London on 8 November.

The Association Excellence Awards salute, celebrate and encourage the vital work that associations, trade bodies, professional organisations and chartered institutes do for and on behalf of their members, and are recognised as the most respected awards that highlight industry best practice and excellence in the UK and Europe.

Seeing off competition from trade associations and membership groups across the entirety of the UK economy, IHPN were named “UK Association of the Year” in recognition of work undertaken to support members to deliver the best possible care for rising numbers of both NHS and private patients. This includes

• Securing an important role for independent providers within the NHS through working with both the previous and current Governments to increase use of private hospitals for NHS patients and develop a political consensus on the issue. As a result, activity is now at record levels, with independent providers responsible for clearing 1.6 million patients from NHS waiting lists last year alone.
• Promoting private healthcare – publishing “Going Private 2023” (and more recently “Going Private 2024”) – based on new research to better understand the public’s views on private care – with exclusive media coverage in The Times and other national publications; as well as launching “Healthcare London” with support from the Department for International Trade to promote London’s world-class healthcare services to overseas patients through close working with embassies in key target countries. This work has contributed to record numbers of patients now choosing private care for their treatment
• Supporting members to further improve the quality and safety of care they deliver – working with the Care Quality Commission to deliver training and events for members to understand the impact of their new regulatory approach, with success reflected in than over 90% of IHPN members are rated “Good” or “Outstanding” by the CQC; as well as developing best practice guidance in collaboration with Medical Royal Colleges and the General Medical Council for resident doctor services and multidisciplinary team working.

IHPN also won bronze in the “Best Lobbying Campaign” category for their work to promote patient choice in the NHS, securing commitments from both the previous and current Prime Minister to expand the choices available to patients as a way of helping cut the rising NHS backlog.

David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled that IHPN won the top prize at the Association Excellence Awards and to be recognised as the UK Association of the Year. We were honoured to win ahead of some incredible organisations representing so many different parts of British industry, and which demonstrates once and for all the value and importance of trade associations and the work they do with governments, regulators and the public.

“It’s been a huge privilege for IHPN to support our members over the last year to ensure they can meet the growing needs of both NHS and private patients, and this award is testament to the incredibly hard work of the IHPN team over the last 12 months.”

Comments from the Association Excellence Awards judges include:

UK Association of the Year

“Strong demonstration of engagement with its members but also the public. Engagement through member groups and forums with more than a 95% renewal rate and membership growth demonstrates a very solid membership focus.”

Best Lobbying Campaign

“A well-executed & effective campaign with a genuine public interest at its heart. I was particularly impressed with the campaign’s influence on both government and opposition, as well as the fact that its impact can be clearly measured.”