TV time for private care

By Charles King

The private hospitals’ body, The Assoc­iation of Independent Healthcare Organisations (AIHO), has partnered with ITN to create a programme about independent healthcare.

Independent Healthcare Focus is an in-depth look at aspects of the role and contribution of independent providers to the UK’s healthcare economy.

It also includes interviews with a range of key stakeholders, such as Stephen Dorrell MP, former chairman of the Commons’ Health Committee, and Prof Sir Mike Richards, the Care Quality Commission’s chief inspector of hospitals.

Natasha KaplinskyThe programme, hosted at the website www.aiho.org.uk, aims to challenge current views on independent healthcare.

Chief executive Fiona Booth said: ‘We are very pleased to partner with ITN to create Independent Healthcare Focus. We have managed to profile a great diversity of independent providers, showcasing the latest innovations and first-class care they offer.

‘We hope that as many people as possible will watch the programme on the AIHO website for an in-depth look at how the sector works.’

National newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky (pictured left) presents the programme from ITN’s national news studios.

It is hoped viewers will get an insight into the contribution of independent healthcare to the UK and understand how independent hospitals deliver high-quality, safe diagnosis and treatment to self-paying, insurance- and NHS-funded patients.