“Patients, Progression and Pace: new report reveals why staff choose independent healthcare

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) has today published a new report that paints a picture of an independent sector workforce with a strong sense of pride in providing personalised care, developing their careers and helping shape services.

Independent providers are playing an increasingly critical role in the healthcare system – delivering care to record numbers of NHS and private patients. However, when compared with the NHS, its 150,000+ strong workforce can often be overlooked both as a career destination for healthcare graduates and potential healthcare employees, as well as by wider healthcare stakeholders and policy makers.

IHPN’s new report, supported by Bevan Brittan, aims to shine a light on what it’s like to work in the independent sector. Drawing on focus groups, interviews, research calls and staff surveys across clinical, operational and non-clinical roles, the report identifies three defining themes behind why staff choose to work in independent healthcare: patients, progression and pace.

• Patients – at all levels and in all roles, staff highlighted the professional and emotional satisfaction that comes from the ability to provide unhurried, personalised, high-quality care for patients.

• Progression – many joined the sector in the hope of more career progression and they were not disappointed, with staff reporting that career opportunities in the independent sector are dynamic, flexible and well-supported.

• Pace – staff welcomed the pace of the sector where they are empowered to make improvements or trial innovative ideas, supported by senior colleagues, without bureaucratic barriers in place.

As the role of the independent sector in the wider healthcare system continues to grow, the report argues the sector’s workforce should play a much more visible role in discussions about the future healthcare workforce and career opportunities in UK healthcare.

Dawn Hodgkins, Director of Regulation at the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), said:

“Working as a nurse in the independent sector has undoubtedly given me the skills and resilience to further my career, both in frontline services, as well as in broader healthcare regulation roles.

“This report shows that independent healthcare offers something many staff are actively looking for: the opportunity to provide high-quality patient care, progress their careers and work in an environment where innovation and improvement can happen quickly.

“The independent sector is home to a highly skilled and growing workforce delivering care to millions of NHS and private patients every year, and it deserves to be recognised as an important part of the wider healthcare workforce landscape.”