PHIN’s new head wants stronger links with doctors
Forming closer relationships in future between consultants and the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) is seen as essential by the organisation’s new chairwoman.
Jayne Scott
Jayne Scott said: ‘I believe that, going forward, we can, and must, work together in partnership with the private hospitals, consultants and our other stakeholders in the sector to deliver better information for patients.’
She takes over from Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, who is stepping down in February 2022 after more than nine years in the role.
A non-executive director on PHIN’s board since 2015, having been nominated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) where she was a panel member, she is a chartered accountant by profession and is currently a non-executive director with Scottish Government, the NHS Counter Fraud Authority and the Coal Authority.
Dr Vallance-Owen co-founded PHIN in 2012 with chief executive Matt James. PHIN was initially established at the request of private hospital operators to provide ‘a trusted safe haven’ for private care data similar to NHS Digital to enable benchmarking and better understanding of care quality.
Information organiser
PHIN won a public mandate as the official independent information organisation for private healthcare as the result of the CMA’s investigation into the sector in 2014, which – among other things – cracked down on many benefits consultants enjoyed as part of their practising privileges .
Dr Vallance-Owen said: ‘Having been at the helm of PHIN for over nine years, now feels like the right time to hand over to fresh leadership. I believe passionately in the mission of PHIN, and I’m proud of the progress we have made in making private healthcare more transparent and open than ever before.
‘People considering private healthcare deserve reliable, independent information about services. I’m pleased to say that because of PHIN there is now more comprehensive real data-based information available for patients.
‘I am particularly proud that PHIN has pushed the agenda for publishing health outcomes. This is vital information not only for consultants and hospitals to understand and improve their services, but also for patients to help them make informed choices’.
He added that, after turning 70 recently, it was time for him rein back on some of his commitments.
‘Having worked with Jayne as the deputy chairwoman of PHIN almost from the beginning, I’m confident that the knowledge, experience and enthusiasm she brings will serve PHIN well over the coming years.’