Health Secretary Wes Streeting has championed harnessing the private sector in healthcare (Image: Getty)

       Labour's embrace of private medicine has led to the equivalent of the population of Liverpool receiving “life-changing treatments” in just four months. The use of the private sector in the NHS has traditionally been a source of controversy on the Left – but Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s department boasts half a million “vital” treatments have been delivered through private sector partnership.

       Labour is under intense pressure to deliver its manifesto target so patients will “wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral for consultant-led treatment of non-urgent health conditions”. The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned in March that the “target has not been met since September 2015” and the Government is “more likely than not to miss” this goal.

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       But Mr Streeting said: “Behind every number on a waiting list is a person in pain. That’s why this government is doing all we can to get patients treated faster.

       “People shouldn’t have to put their lives on hold because of waiting for an appointment, treatment, operation or test and we shouldn’t shy away from using the independent sector to help us undo 14 years of damage to the NHS. This partnership means more operations, more treatments, and more people getting back to normal life sooner – all while keeping care free at the point of use.

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       “With our plan for change, we promised to slash waiting lists, and that’s what we’re delivering.”

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       The 500,000 treatments were delivered between January and April and include hip replacements and knee surgeries. The department points to YouGov polling showing seven out of 10 people backing the “NHS using the private sector to clear the backlog”.

       The most common procedures delivered this way are ophthalmology (23.8%), trauma and orthopaedics (20.9%) and dermatology (14.9%).

       David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, admitted there is “so much more still to do” to hit the 18-week target.

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       He said: “These figures demonstrate that independent providers are playing a pivotal role in the NHS’s elective recovery, helping ensure patients can get the treatment they need – all free at the point of use and paid for at NHS prices.”

       Mark Cubbon, director of elective care, cancer and diagnostics at NHS England, said: “Independent sector providers play an important role in supporting NHS efforts to get patients the care they need quicker, with the latest figures showing record numbers of treatments are being carried out. NHS use of the private sector has risen significantly since 2021 and our new partnership agreement will help us go even further to widen access to treatment for thousands of patients.”

       The Government says that since the agreement with the private sector was struck the North East and Yorkshire have seen the highest number of patients taken off waiting lists (116,169), followed by the South East (102,909) and the North West (85,936).

       It claims ￡29billion of cash announced in the spending review will enable it to “reform the NHS and cut waiting lists, improve patient care and modernise services”.

       The Government put the spotlight on the experience of Darren Grewcock, who had hip replacement surgery at Coventry’s private Meriden Hospital.

       He said: “I’m a security guard and after my injury, I looked like I wouldn’t be able to protect anyone. Mobility-wise, I looked 80.

       “I didn’t look like a former fitness coach or rugby player. It impacted my sleep terribly. I was taking a lot of painkillers just to get by at work and in training and to get to sleep – it was too much.

       “The x-rays revealed that I had bone-on-bone osteoarthritis on my left hip. I was referred for surgery and given a list of places you can go – which included options in the independent sector.

       “Within three days of booking, I had an appointment booked with the consultant. I couldn’t believe how quickly he got back to me and the process started. My recovery has been a huge success. I am fitter, stronger, and more mobile than I was at 50.”

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       According to the Independent Health Providers Network, 96% of people in England live within 30 minutes driving distance of an independent provider which delivers NHS treatment.

       Conservative Shadow Health Secretary Edward Argar said: “We welcome that Labour has continued with the practical step we took in government to work with the independent healthcare sector to cut backlogs and get patients treated faster. But after a year in office, Labour have still not come forward with a clear plan, or reforms to tackle the issues facing the NHS.

       “Patients deserve more than headline-chasing. They want to see real reforms, to bring about real change.”