Recommendation 18

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