Following an agreement in January, the independent sector has supported the NHS to cut treatment in specialist areas with the longest waits. 

More than 500,000 patients received treatment in the first four months of the year under the government’s ongoing partnership with independent healthcare providers.

The agreement, launched in January this year, encourages the independent sector to support the NHS and helps to cut backlogs in areas with some of the longest waits in specialist areas of treatment, such as gynaecology and orthopaedics. 

“People shouldn’t have to put their lives on hold because of waiting for an appointment, treatment, operation or test and we shouldn’t shy away from using the independent sector,” said health and social care secretary Wes Streeting. 

“This partnership means more operations, more treatments, and more people getting back to normal life sooner – all while keeping care free at the point of use,” he continued. 

“Long waits for care cause great anxiety and disruption to lives. Using new and different approaches to ensure more timely access to care is important to helping address these challenges and getting people on the road to recovery,” said Chris McCann, deputy chief executive of Healthwatch England. 

Pivotal role

Since the independent sector agreement, the North East and Yorkshire have seen the highest number of patients removed from waiting lists (116,169), followed by the South East (102,909) and the North West (85,936).

“These figures demonstrate that independent providers are playing a pivotal role in the NHS’ elective recovery, helping ensure patients can get the treatment they need – all free at the point of use and paid for at NHS prices,” said David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN). 

Analysis from the Independent Health Providers Network has shown 96% of people in England live within 30 minutes driving distance of an independent provider that delivers NHS treatment.

The agreement has been published alongside the government and NHS’s elective reform plan, which sets out a roadmap to meeting the 18-week standard during this parliament. Between July and November last year, the government delivered 2.2 million extra elective appointments – seven months ahead of schedule.