Introduction

The independent sector has long played a key role in the delivery of healthcare services for both NHS and private patients across the UK, but in the last few years this contribution has undoubtedly increased.

Independent healthcare providers are now delivering record levels of NHS care – including around one in five of all NHS elective operations; one in four of all NHS diagnostics tests and scans; with 40% of all NHS community providers from the independent sector.

Moreover, demand for private healthcare treatment continues to rise with admissions to private hospitals alone reaching almost one million per year – aided by record numbers of people now having access to private medical insurance (PMI). The sector is also seeing double digit growth in demand for private GP appointments and diagnostic tests and scans, with IHPN’s recent “Going Private” research showing that over seven in ten people now say they’d consider paying for treatment.

However, while it’s clear that the sector is playing an ever-increasing role in the healthcare system, 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.

In 2020, the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) published its first study exploring what it is like to work in the independent healthcare sector. That report highlighted three defining features of the sector – careers, control and culture – and showed how staff valued opportunities for development, greater flexibility, and supportive working environments.

Against this backdrop and shifting role of the sector, IHPN has therefore revisited the question: what is it like to work in the independent health sector today?

This new report draws on focus groups, interviews, research calls and surveys – with views from staff across clinical, operational and non-clinical roles at the heart of healthcare delivery. Their message was clear: they are proud to work in the independent sector.

Three themes consistently emerged from our conversations:

• Patients – At all levels and in all roles, staff highlighted the professional and emotional satisfaction that comes from providing 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 – individuals feel change happens quickly, empowering them to make improvements or trial innovative ideas, supported by seniors, without bureaucratic barriers in place.

“It has been a really positive experience as a nurse moving to the private sector. At HomeLink healthcare we are able to deliver truly patient centred care, providing flexible, responsive services that meet individual needs in the comfort of patients own homes. It has shown me how private healthcare can compliment the NHS by reducing hospital pressures, improving outcomes, and ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time“

Rebecca Harris – Homelink Healthcare

About the Independent Healthcare Sector

IHPN represents a diverse range of healthcare organisations delivering both NHS and privately funded patient care services across the acute, primary and community, diagnostics, clinical home healthcare, neurodevelopmental sectors.

Independent providers therefore offer a huge array of career opportunities in a range of setting from hospitals (1 in 7 of which have critical care wards), to prisons, NHS 111 and other urgent care settings, sexual healthcare, as well as district nursing.

94% of IHPN members are rated good or outstanding by the healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC)