To ask His Majesty's Government what, if any, central contracts have been let by NHS England with independent care providers to increase NHS (1) diagnostic, and (2) elective surgery, capacity; and what guidance has been given by NHS England to local commissioners to use independent service providers in order to reduce the backlog of NHS patients awaiting (a) diagnosis, and (b) treatment.
Answered on
23 December 2022
The majority of commissioning between independent sector providers and the National Health Service takes place locally. While central contracts were regularly used by NHS England during the pandemic, in 2022/23 there have been no central contracts between NHS England and independent care providers to increase diagnostic or elective surgery capacity.
In February 2022, NHS England published the Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care, which sets out how the National Health Service will recover and expand elective services over the next three years. It advises that effective use of the independent sector should be encouraged to increase capacity and reduce waiting times. A copy of the plan is attached.
In January 2022, NHS England published the 2022/23 priorities and operational planning guidance, which states that independent sector should be considered to manage winter pressures and increase capacity, including through virtual wards. A copy of the guidance is attached.