Private Clinics Increase NHS Appointments and Procedures
Private Clinics Increase NHS Appointments and Procedures
The number of NHS appointments, tests, and surgeries facilitated by private hospitals and clinics has risen significantly this year. The increase amounts to nearly 500,000, bringing the total to 6.15 million. This surge is part of a government initiative aimed at reducing waiting times and addressing the perceived imbalance in healthcare access.
Government Actions to Tackle Waiting Times
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized that leveraging private healthcare resources is crucial for achieving the government’s objective. This goal is for 92% of patients in England to receive treatment within 18 weeks of referral. Current strategies include:
- Utilizing community diagnostic centres (CDCs)
- Conducting more surgical procedures during evenings and weekends
- Implementing modern technology, including robotic surgery
Streeting stated that these measures have successfully delivered five million additional appointments and have reduced waiting lists by 200,000 patients.
Impact of Private Sector Involvement
Private providers currently account for approximately 10% of elective NHS activities. From August 2024 to September 2025, these providers conducted an average of:
| Service | Weekly Average |
|---|---|
| Surgical Procedures | 19,000 |
| Outpatient Appointments | 100,000 |
Through these efforts, they treated over 1.1 million patients in the past year. David Hare, the chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, acknowledged the vital role of the independent sector in delivering essential NHS services.
Criticism and Challenges Ahead
Despite these advancements, Shadow Health Secretary Stuart Andrew voiced concerns over the slow progress in meeting NHS waiting-time targets. He highlighted that although the collaboration with the independent sector has improved patient care, significant delays remain, especially following recent healthcare strikes.
As the government continues to invest in expanding NHS capacity and enhancing service efficiency, the focus remains on ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all patients, regardless of their financial situation.
