The UK government has unveiled plans for the largest expansion of patient choice in the National Health Service in over 10 years. The new policy will enable those requiring routine treatment outside hospitals to choose from a range of providers across the NHS and independent sectors.
Putting Patients in the Driver’s Seat
At the heart of the initiative lies a drive to empower patients by granting them greater control over when, where, and how they receive care. By introducing competition and offering options beyond just the local NHS trust, the government hopes to incentivize faster service, more convenience, and higher quality standards.
“Empowering patients to take control of their own healthcare decisions is a key part of my mission to make the NHS faster, simpler and fairer for everyone that uses it,”
declared Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins.
“Expanding patient choice will enable people to choose when, where and how they are treated – putting power in the hands of the patients.”
Easing Strain on Overburdened System
The move comes as the NHS continues to grapple with mounting waiting lists exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 7 million people in England currently find themselves in a holding pattern for planned treatment.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak framed the choice expansion as a critical component of the government’s strategy to alleviate this immense backlog burden:
“Expanding choice will not only help get patients the care they need more quickly but is part of our plan to cut waiting lists, building on the progress we have already made with a fall of almost 200,000 since September.”
Services Potentially Included:
- Hearing aid care
- Diagnostic tests like endoscopy
- Dietetics and nutrition
- Ambulatory ECG monitoring
- Podiatry
Opening Up to Independent Providers
Under the forthcoming pilots, patients will be able to select from a range of options spanning the NHS, charitable organizations, and private healthcare companies like BUPA and Spire. These independent sector partners will be reimbursed at nationally set NHS rates to prevent cost escalation.
David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, welcomed the policy as hugely positive for patients.
“When offered [a choice], patients can cut on average over three months off their wait for NHS care by exercising their right to choose a different provider,” he stated.
Safeguarding Quality, Expanding Capacity
While granting wider choice, the government has emphasized its commitment to upholding robust standards. All providers, whether NHS or independent, must meet required quality thresholds to participate.
NHS national elective recovery director Sir James Mackey stressed that the goal is “helping to improve waiting times and quality of care” by intelligently utilizing excess capacity across the entire healthcare system.
However, some health leaders have voiced concerns about potential unintended workforce impacts, such as private sector opportunities luring away NHS staff with higher compensation.
When and Where
The government and NHS England will soon begin engaging select integrated care boards (ICBs) nationwide about hosting localized pilots from autumn 2023 onward. Subject to those trial results, they then plan an expanded rollout bringing more services and geographic areas under the increased choice model in the years ahead.
Rachel Power of the Patients Association emphasized the importance of effective implementation to maximize benefits:
“The NHS must make sure patients know they have a choice, are supported to make the best choice for them, and the pilots must be accessible.”
Sources: THX News, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, The Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP, & The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP.
