Work of private doctors praised
Tributes to the work of doctors and others in the private healthcare sector have been paid by Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford, who is stepping down as chairman of the private hospitals’ representative body – the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN).
Lord Patel
He said: ‘I have been impressed by the commitment I have seen from members to continually improve the quality and safety of care.
‘I’ve also seen first-hand the innovation and cutting-edge technologies and techniques which the independent sector deploys to deliver first class care.’
Joining the organisation at the height of the pandemic, his tenure was a period of historic moments for the independent sector as it worked alongside the NHS.
He added: ‘I believe that the independent sector has a vital role to play both in supporting the NHS to recover from the pressures of the pandemic and in making sure that those patients that do choose to fund their own treatment are able to do so’.
IHPN chief executive David Hare said: ‘He has commanded respect for his insight and leadership, and challenged us all to improve, but done so positively and with great personal integrity.
‘I know that members and the board have felt reassured having him at the helm, as they’ve gone about tackling some of the huge problems facing the healthcare sector, supporting the NHS during the pandemic and ensuring private patients can access the care they need.’
A new chairperson will be announced in March.
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