The Health Secretary put the biggest private health companies on high alert to deliver crucial treatments such as cancer surgery should Omicron overwhelm National Health Service hospitals in England.
Sajid Javid ordered England’s NHS to strike a 3-month deal with private health companies to allow patients to get treatments such as cancer surgery outside.
“Millions of patients have already got their tests and treatment quicker thanks to our existing deal with independent providers,” said David Sloman, NHS England chief operating officer and COVID incident director.
“It also places independent health providers on standby to provide further help should hospitals face unsustainable levels of hospitalisations or staff absences,” Sloman said.
The agreement includes Practice Plus Group, Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health Group, Ramsay Health Care UK, Healthcare Management Trust, One Healthcare, Horder Healthcare, Aspen Healthcare and KIMS Hospital, the NHS said.
Circle CEO Paolo Pieri said that since the first COVID wave in March 2020, its hospitals had supported the NHS by performing urgent, life-saving operations and treatments for over 400,000 NHS patients.
“We stand ready to support the NHS in its time of need,” Pieri said.
Spire (SPI.L) said the final details of the new contract still had to be agreed. The deal expires on March 31.
“The agreement in principle is for payment by activity based on NHS tariff, with minimum value underpins,” Spire said.
“If required, subject to meeting agreed criteria, Spire Healthcare will grant NHSE access to 100% of its facilities and teams on a local, regional or national basis in the event of a surge of COVID-19 patients in NHS hospitals in England.”
