Working in partnership
NHS England and NHS Improvement, in collaboration with the IHPN (Independent Healthcare Providers Network), have reached a national agreement with IS (independent sector) healthcare providers to secure all available inpatient capacity and resource in every area in England.
This covers all the inpatient facilities and the existing staff working for the providers.
These nationally commissioned and funded contracts will replace local agreements and operate from Monday 23 March for a minimum period of 14 weeks.
NHS England and NHS Improvement expect this local agreement will mean the IS providers will deliver a mix of five main services for NHS patients:
- inpatient respiratory care to COVID-19 patients needing oxygen therapy, NIV (non-invasive ventilation) and mechanical ventilation in intensive care
- urgent, time-dependent NHS elective care services, to maintain priority elective and cancer pathways as the pressure builds from COVID-related admissions
- diagnostic capacity, in collaboration with the NHS, to maintain urgent priority elective and cancer pathways
- inpatient non-elective care to NHS patients to help free up bed capacity in NHS hospitals. These beds should not be used for patients who are medically fit for discharge
- making clinical and support staff available who could if needed be redeployed to support care in other settings.
Below is a list of independent sector provider organisations that are signatories to the national agreement.
If you work for any of these organisations you may be asked to deliver care to COVID-19 patients.
- Aspen Healthcare Ltd
- Benenden
- Care UK Clinical Services
- Circle Health Holdings Limited
- Circle and BMI
- Epsomedical Ltd
- Fairfield Independent Hospital
- Fortius
- HCA International Limited
- Healthcare Management Trust
- Horder Healthcare
- Hospital of St John and Elizabeth
- KIMS Hospital Ltd
- King Edward VII Hospital
- Medical Services International Limited (BUPA Cromwell)
- Nuffield Health
- One Healthcare Partners Ltd
- One Stop Doctors
- Phoenix Hospitals
- Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited
- Schoen Clinic London LTD
- Spencer Private Hospitals Ltd
- Spire Healthcare Limited
- The London Clinic
- The New Victoria Hospital
- The Wellbeck Hospital
- Transform Hospital Group Limited.
What this means for you
You may have concerns about your elective private patients now the independent sector is contracted to provide NHS Services to the COVID-19 response. You should speak with your employer to find out about their policy for accepting elective private patients whilst these new arrangements are in place.
If you want to know how the new arrangements will affect your existing contractual terms and conditions, please contact your hospital director or Chief Executive.
If you are a private practice doctor operating as a business
Guidance from the government provides advice for employers and businesses in England to follow to protect their workforce and customers, whilst continuing to trade. It may be updated in line with the changing situation.
It includes information about: social distancing, hygiene, cleanliness, staff sickness advice and staying at home.
Getting financial support
The government has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
The Independent Practitioner Today has also information on its website to help support your business, see our resource list below for more information.
Contact us
If you have any feedback or questions please email [email protected].
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- NHS England and NHS Improvement Guidance on GPs and practice staff considering returning to the NHS
- Briefing note on coronavirus (COVID-19) for the independent healthcare sector
- Independent Practitioner Today Can the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme help you?
- What you need to know about the Job Retention Scheme
- Will you qualify for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme?
- Keeping your practice going