28 July 2000 Number 5

The concordat will highlight three particular areas for co-operative working:

1.      Elective care NHS staff could use the facilities in private hospitals or services could be bought from the private sector.

2.      Critical care The NHS and the private sector could transfer patients to and from each other when clinically appropriate.

3.      Intermediate care Private sector development of facilities to support the Governments strategy for preventive and rehabilitation services.

Detailed discussions have taken place between Government and the Independent Healthcare Association, of which BUPA is a leading member. Good progress has been made towards establishing a framework. Negotiations continue on some points.

BUPA agrees with the Prime Ministers assertion that there should be no barriers to partnership where appropriate between the public and private sectors. For many years, BUPA hospitals have worked at local level with NHS bodies to help reduce waiting lists. As part of a national strategy, such arrangements could make a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the National Plan.

The new Care Standards Act, and the initiatives in clinical governance and outcome measurement introduced by BUPA and others in the private sector, will ensure that the NHS can have confidence in the standards of patient care to be provided.

In the case of critical care, it is often the case that medical facilities required by one sector are available locally in the other. The co-ordinated use of such facilities could make a major contribution to eliminating long-distance transfers for patients.

On intermediate care, BUPA already has 10 care homes that are equipped to provide this service to patients after their treatment in NHS hospitals. We have calculated that within a year we could provide intermediate care for another 6000 NHS patients.

We welcome the Governments recognition of the further contribution that can be made by the private sector.