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21/04/2004
Private health firms to help tackle NHS waiting lists
Two private health firms have been given the go-ahead to operate on NHS patients, in a move which the government believes will help reduce waiting lists.
Nuffield Hospitals and Capio Healthcare UK have been awarded contracts to perform almost 25,000 hip, knee and other operations for the NHS in this financial year.
Nuttfield Hospitals is the largest not-for-profit independent network of hospitals in Britain with 43 hospitals. Capio Healthcare is also a leading independent health service provider, operating 21 hospitals throughout England.
Around 70% of the work will be centred on orthopaedics as the NHS was currently "not able" to deliver orthopaedic work as quickly as patients need, Health Secretary John Reid said.
Orthopaedics has proved to be "the toughest nut to crack in terms of long waits", he added.
Around 880 NHS patients in each strategic health authority will start to receive operations within weeks, in 50 independent hospitals all over the country.
Dr Reid said he was determined that no NHS patient should wait in pain when "cost-effective agreements can deliver the appropriate care".
"Today's announcement adds even more capacity to an NHS which has already seen a massive increase in capacity," he said.
"By 2005, nobody should have to wait longer than six months for an operation."
The cost for each operation and associated care is on a par with equivalent NHS prices.
The Prime Minister announced plans on 30 July last year to provide at least 125,000 extra operations over the next five years.
(gmcg)
Nuffield Hospitals and Capio Healthcare UK have been awarded contracts to perform almost 25,000 hip, knee and other operations for the NHS in this financial year.
Nuttfield Hospitals is the largest not-for-profit independent network of hospitals in Britain with 43 hospitals. Capio Healthcare is also a leading independent health service provider, operating 21 hospitals throughout England.
Around 70% of the work will be centred on orthopaedics as the NHS was currently "not able" to deliver orthopaedic work as quickly as patients need, Health Secretary John Reid said.
Orthopaedics has proved to be "the toughest nut to crack in terms of long waits", he added.
Around 880 NHS patients in each strategic health authority will start to receive operations within weeks, in 50 independent hospitals all over the country.
Dr Reid said he was determined that no NHS patient should wait in pain when "cost-effective agreements can deliver the appropriate care".
"Today's announcement adds even more capacity to an NHS which has already seen a massive increase in capacity," he said.
"By 2005, nobody should have to wait longer than six months for an operation."
The cost for each operation and associated care is on a par with equivalent NHS prices.
The Prime Minister announced plans on 30 July last year to provide at least 125,000 extra operations over the next five years.
(gmcg)
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New £2m Helipad Developed At Hospital In Devon
A new helipad has been built at Derriford Hospital in Devon. The £2 million facility will allow air ambulances to land at night. Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters can also be facilitated. The previous landing area, a grassy region with no lights, was described as "unsuitable" for larger helicopters.
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