Private sector now delivers 19,000 ops a week for NHS

NHS use of the private sector is surging on Laboutr’s watch, data show.

- By David Williamson CHIEF POLITICAL COMMENTATOR

So far this year, there have been 6.15 million appointments, operations and tests by independent providers — an increase of almost 500,000 on last year.

Labour claims patients have been able to slash waiting times by up to five months through this outsourcing choice.

The Department for Health reports that “independent providers delivered 19,000 surgical procedures and 100,000 outpatient appointments on average every week this financial year”, with more than 1.1 million people treated.

The Government boasts waiting lists have gone down by 206,000 in the last year as the private sector helps it hit its goal to have 92% of patients in England waiting no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment.