Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

The independent regulator in Scotland is Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), in Wales it is the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) and in Northern Ireland it is the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). IHPN membership covers all four nations.

There is less independent sector activity in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the regulators publish considerably less data compared to the CQC and their reports are more narrative in nature. However, we have collected information about our members’ provision in Scotland and Wales which gives some insight into independent sector provision in those nations

Scotland

Workforce and Training

• Over 3,500 staff employed or contracted 
• Training provided in nursing, optometry, radiography, physiotherapy, operating department practitioners, psychology, occupational therapy, art and music therapy 

Patient Activity

• 480,000 patient treatments and consultations 
• 248 acute beds available 
• 144 beds for long-term mental health patients 
• Over 100,000 scans and x-rays carried out 

Safety and Quality

• Over 90% of patients would recommend their hospital to their friends and family 
• Over 25% of all hip, knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle replacements  

During 2024, from nine acute providers within IHPN Scotland membership, HIS completed three onsite inspections and no IR(ME)R inspection. No non-compliance notices (breach of regulation) were issued. 

In addition to the acute providers above, there are three mental health providers and one epilepsy provider within IHPN Scotland Membership. In 2024, mental health inspections were undertaken by HIS at two independent mental health hospitals within IHPN Scotland membership. No non-compliance notices (breach of regulation) were issued. 

Wales

Workforce and Training  

• Over 4,000 staff employed or contracted
• 100% offer nurse training

Patient Activity

• 273,000 patients were treated 
• 58,000 scans and x-rays carried out  
• 167 acute beds available  
• 256 beds for long-term mental health inpatients 

Safety and Quality 

• Over 94% of acute patients would recommend their hospital to their friends and family
• 100% of Welsh operators have a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

During 2023/2024, from the six acute providers within IHPN Wales membership, HIW completed three full onsite inspections and no IR(ME)R inspections. One provider who was a newly registered provider in 2022 at the time of this report, is yet to be inspected. No non-compliance notices (breach of regulation) were issued.  

In addition to the acute providers, within IHPN Wales membership there are six Mental Health services, one Learning Disability and one Hospice service. Inspections were undertaken by HIW in 2024 at four IHPN independent mental health member services. Through 4 mental health provider inspections one non-compliance notice was issued which HIW subsequently received appropriate assurance, the hospital was later de-escalated.  

IHPN Northern Ireland – Regulation & Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)

An announced inspection took place at a INPN Ireland member facility in 2024. The purpose of the inspection was to assess the application of variation to registration to increase service provision. The variation to registration was approved from a care and estates perspective.