Patients will be offered the choice of booking treatment in private hospitals on the NHS app as part of a drive to reduce waiting lists, according to reports.
The Times reported that under prime minister Rishi Sunak’s plans “dozens” of private diagnostic centres will also offer checks for cancer and other conditions in efforts to use private companies to boost NHS capacity and speed up care.
In the latest figures published this month the number of people on the NHS England waiting list for treatment topped 7.3 million for the first time, while last week shadow health secretary Wes Streeting claimed Labour would make greater use of spare capacity in the private sector to arrest spiralling wait times.
The paper reported that Sunak believes offering patients more choice and better data on their local hospital’s performance will drive up standards
It added that over the coming weeks Sunak will initiate a drive to promote patient choice, with the publication of a report by its elective recovery taskforce.
The taskforce is expected to recommend increasing treatment capacity “as far as possible via the independent sector“ and making patient choice “the default mechanism” for those who are referred for routine care.
According to The Times, a formal announcement of the initiative is expected, and Sunak is said to want “radical transparency” to help patients make decisions.
While currently just 28 NHS hospitals allow patients to manage appointments via the app, the paper added this is expected be expanded, and private hospitals will be included for the first time.
It adds the PM’s plan is also expected to include more outsourcing of cancer checks to tackle delays that doctors fear will lead to thousands of early deaths.
The paper points out that there are 106 community diagnostic centres offering blood tests and scans such as MRIs, x-rays and ultrasounds and “dozens” more run by the private sector are expected in an effort to increase the number to about 190.
Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries (AMII) executive chairman Dave Middleton said: “It is pleasing to see steps being taken to support further collaboration between the NHS and the private sector.
“At a time when the NHS is under unrelenting pressure, the government has recognised that making the process easier for patients who are open to private healthcare is a key factor in reducing waiting times for routine treatment.
“I’m looking forward to seeing further details of how it will work in practice for our members.”
Health & Protection contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for comment.
