Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Acknowledged
We also asked NHSE whether its increased use of the independent healthcare sector might detract...
Conclusion
We also asked NHSE whether its increased use of the independent healthcare sector might detract from or reduce activity within the NHS itself. NHSE told us that this was a key consideration in decisions about when to use the independent sector. It confirmed that it was working to support NHS and independent sector providers to work as productively as possible together.38 32 C&AG’s Report, para 8, 1.24 33 Q 61 34 Q 62 35 C&AG’s Report, para 1.25 36 C&AG’s Report, paras 8, 2.22, 2.29 37 NHS0021 38 Qq 67, 69 Managing NHS backlogs and waiting times in England 13 3 Improving planning Improving strategic and programme management
Government Response Summary
The government outlines actions to increase activity, manage demand and increase productivity, stating that NHS England monitors progress and has published planning guidance; NHS England will write to the Committee before summer recess to set out further detail of the impact of community diagnostic centres, surgical hubs, use of the independent sector, and the advice and guidance programme.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
4.2 The actions in the NHS published Delivery Plan are targeted at increasing activity, managing demand or increasing productivity and NHS England carefully monitors progress against delivery targets at regular intervals. 4.3 The 2023-24 priorities and operational planning guidance published on 23 December 2022 detailed three tasks over the coming year; recover core services and productivity; as the NHS recovers, make progress in delivering the key ambitions in the Long Term Plan, and; continue transforming the NHS for the future. To assist in meeting these objectives, NHS England has set out the most critical, evidence-based actions that will support delivery - based on what systems and providers have already demonstrated makes the most difference to patient outcomes, experience, access, and safety. 4.4 The NHS is delivering at pace, 100 community diagnostic centres are currently in operation and have performed over 3.5 million tests, exams, and scans since July 2021 despite challenging and uncertain delivery conditions. NHS England will write to the Committee before summer recess to set out further detail of the impact of community diagnostic centres, surgical hubs, use of the independent sector, and the advice and guidance programme.