Private units offer to cut waiting lists

The private hospitals’ and clinics’ trade body has appealed to the NHS to make more use of the independent sector to help cut waiting times.

David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Prov­iders Network, said it was vital that significant spare capacity in private units was utilised by local NHS areas to ensure patients were treated as quickly as possible, including through exercising their right to choose the best care provider for them.