Faster NHS Care Through Partnerships: What It Means for Care Providers

Hundreds of thousands of patients are receiving faster NHS care through new partnerships with independent healthcare providers.This approach aims to tackle waiting lists, increase treatment capacity, and uphold the NHS principle of care that remains free at the point of use.

Overview of the Partnership

The Department of Health and Social Care announced in October 2025 that 6.15 million NHS appointments, tests and operations were delivered by independent providers over the past year — almost 500,000 more than the previous year.

Independent hospitals and clinics are being used to expand NHS capacity, especially for elective procedures such as orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and diagnostics. These services are provided under NHS contracts and remain free for patients.

The strategy supports the government’s goal that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment — a key measure under the NHS Constitution.

Why This Matters

The use of independent providers is not new. The NHS has long commissioned care from the independent sector, particularly for elective surgeries and diagnostics.However, the scale and coordination of this approach have expanded significantly as part of efforts to recover from pandemic backlogs and ongoing workforce pressures.

Key aims include:

• Reducing waiting times for routine and planned procedures.

• Making use of spare capacity in the independent sector.

• Improving patient choice, allowing people to be treated faster at nearby facilities.

• Maintaining the principle of NHS care that is free at the point of use.

  
  

What the Data Shows

According to the government’s figures (September 2024 – August 2025):

• Independent providers delivered around 19,000 surgical procedures and 100,000 outpatient appointments per week.

• This supported the treatment of over 1.1 million NHS patients.

• Waiting lists fell by 206,000 over the same period, showing the first sustained improvement in years.

Research from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) found that patients could reduce their waiting time by up to five months simply by choosing a hospital with a shorter queue, often within 13 miles of their home.

Views from the Sector

Wes Streeting MP, Health and Social Care Secretary, described the partnership as both “principled and pragmatic,” stating that wealth should not determine access to timely healthcare.

Sir Jim Mackey, NHS Chief Executive, emphasised that maximising use of all available capacity — including the independent sector — is a key part of reducing waiting times.

Patient advocacy groups, including the Patients Association and Arthritis UK, welcomed the move, highlighting that faster treatment can prevent deterioration and improve outcomes for those waiting for elective procedures such as hip and knee replacements.

Key Reforms Supporting the Approach

Alongside independent sector use, the NHS is expanding its own capacity through:

• Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs): open seven days a week, having delivered more than 8.7 million tests since mid-2024.

• New surgical hubs: 22 opened, with 12 more expanded, focusing on high-volume elective operations.

• High-intensity theatre (HIT) lists: weekend sessions allowing hospitals to complete a week’s worth of operations in a single day.

• NHS Online: a new digital platform expected to deliver 8.5 million virtual appointments in its first three years.

These measures collectively aim to ensure the NHS meets future capacity needs while maintaining safety, accessibility, and equity.

Implications for Care Providers

For those working in social care, community health, or independent healthcare, the increased use of independent capacity raises several points for awareness:

1. Integration and CoordinationSeamless referral and discharge processes between NHS and independent providers are critical. Shared digital systems, standardised care documentation, and interoperable record management support continuity of care.

2. Governance and OversightAll providers delivering NHS-funded care must meet the same CQC registration, clinical governance, and safety standards as NHS trusts.Compliance with frameworks such as PSIRF (Patient Safety Incident Response Framework) and LFPSE (Learn from Patient Safety Events) is expected.

3. Patient Communication and ChoicePatients have the right to choose their treatment provider under the NHS Constitution. Care teams should be ready to support informed discussions about options, travel, and aftercare.

4. Workforce CollaborationStaff from independent and NHS organisations often work together in shared care pathways. Consistency in training and data protection practices is essential.

   
   

Addressing Common Questions

Is care in independent hospitals still free for NHS patients?Yes. Treatments are fully NHS-funded and remain free at the point of use. Independent hospitals simply provide additional capacity under NHS contracts.

Do patients need to request treatment at an independent hospital?Patients can ask their GP or consultant about available providers with shorter waits under the Right to Choose programme.

Are safety and standards equivalent to NHS hospitals?All providers are inspected and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They must meet identical clinical and reporting requirements when treating NHS patients.

Will this affect staffing in the NHS?The intention is not to divert staff but to complement NHS services, using spare theatre space, equipment, and existing workforce capacity more effectively.

Looking Ahead

The use of the independent sector is likely to continue as part of a mixed-model NHS — where public and independent capacity are combined to ensure patients receive care faster.The key challenge for the future will be ensuring that this expansion remains transparent, accountable, and equitable, with robust data sharing and clinical governance at its core.

As the NHS moves forward with its Plan for Change and 10-Year Health Plan, collaboration across sectors — supported by shared digital systems, safety standards, and clear communication — will be central to sustainable improvement in patient care.

References

• Department of Health and Social Care (2025), “Faster care for thousands thanks to NHS use of independent sector”, 26 October 2025.

• Independent Healthcare Providers Network (2025), Research on patient waiting times and travel distances.

• NHS England (2024–25), Elective Recovery Plan and Community Diagnostic Centre progress reports.

• Care Quality Commission, Guidance on integrated governance for NHS and independent providers.