Doctors group has new head

By Olive Carterton

The new chairman of the Feder­ation of Independent Practitioner Organisations (FIPO) has predicted a hefty workload dealing with aspects of private practice in the years ahead.

Mr Richard Packard

Consultant ophthalmic surgeon Mr Richard Packard said: ‘For the future, FIPO’s role will be critical, for there are a number of serious issues facing the sector. 

‘Patient choice in the private sector has been increasingly at risk and, indeed, has arguably been diminished in the past few years. We face great challenges in the future, but one thing is certain: without the private sector, the UK’s healthcare system would not be able to cope.’