Independent healthcare providers have long played a key role in the delivering high quality NHS services, free at the point of use. As the health service continues to evolve and meet the growing needs of the public, the independent sector will continue to support the NHS and ensure patients can access the care they need.
Pages
23/07/2026
IHPN's Head of Acute Policy, John Hopgood, looks at the testing position the new Health Secretary finds herself in, and lays out how sustained progress towards the 18-week target will depend on increasing activity, removing barriers to patient choice, and making full use of available independent-sector capacity.
News
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.
Blog
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.
News
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.
Blog
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.
News
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
Pages
11/06/2026
IHPN's new report looks at new polling on GP attitudes to patient choice and calls for clearer accountability, simpler referral pathways, better information for clinicians and patients, and stronger measures to ensure choice is routinely embedded throughout the patient pathway.
News
11/06/2026
IHPN responds to the latest NHS performance figures showing record waiting lists for NHS community services
Blog
26/05/2026
IHPN's Head of Acute Policy John Hopgood looks at the role insourcing has played in the NHS' elective recovery and what more can be done to help NHS Trusts make full use of insourcing provision to treat even more patients safely, effectively and efficiently.
Pages
26/05/2026
Read IHPN's new explainer on what insourcing is and how it's helping the NHS recovery
News
14/05/2026
IHPN responds to the latest NHS performance figures showing that the NHS has met its interim target for 65% of patients to be treated within 18 weeks
Blog
05/05/2026
IHPN's Director of Comms, Cara McDonagh looks at what this week's Scotland and Wales elections will mean for independent healthcare