Patients 'can't compare treatments'
Updated on 18 July 2007
Patients are still unable to accurately compare NHS treatment in private clinics and hospitals because of poor Government planning and a lack of quality data, the health watchdog has said.
A report into controversial Independent Sector Treatment Centres (ISTCs) found that more than half were failing to provide the data required of them under their contracts.
The Healthcare Commission said it could not guarantee the quality of care on offer because of a lack of decent information.
It said the Government had "cocked up" contracts with private firms by not requesting performance results that could be fairly compared with NHS hospitals.
While patients attending ISTCs reported high levels of satisfaction, the Commission's report highlighted a number of problems. These included poor working relationships between ISTCs and the NHS, and "significant numbers" of inappropriate referrals to the centres.
Phase one of the ISTC programme began in October 2003, with one aim being they would help slash NHS waiting lists. There are currently 24 ISTCs in England.
Private firms have contracts with the NHS to run the clinics, which offer non-emergency services and procedures such as cataract operations, hip replacements and MRI scans.
The report said it could provide "some positive assurance about the quality of care provided by ISTCs". But, while there was a lot of information on care in ISTCs, "this is not generally comparable with that collected in the NHS", the study said.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "ISTCs have the same responsibility as the NHS to provide high quality care to patients and we are pleased that the HCC report shows that they are performing well in a number of areas and are rated highly by patients.
"We introduced ISTCs to cut waiting times and increase choice and remain committed to ensuring that patients can continue to expect high standards of quality in both NHS and independent sector facilities."
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