A new organisation has been formed to represent independent healthcare providers. The Independent Healthcare Forum has been set up to provide its members with guidance on matters of regulation, a focus for the development of operational policies across the sector and to represent the independent healthcare sector to external organisations. It also provides a new channel for external organisations to communicate with independent providers, both existing and newly emerging groups.

Speaking at the launch on 17 May 2004 , Paul Preston, for the Independent Healthcare Forum said: "The development of healthcare provision in this country is moving very quickly and independent provision is an important component of this emerging mixed economy. The independent sector will continue to provide elective surgery, diagnostics, GP services, home healthcare and other services to the traditional private market but will also extend these services to the NHS."

The Independent Healthcare Forum has recently published the Quality Indicator Project (QIP) Annual Report, which reviews clinical indicators that enable independent hospitals to improve quality standards where necessary. The Forum also administers an independent complaints process on behalf of the sector and develops a number of Codes of Practice.

The Independent Healthcare Forum intends to develop a strong relationship with the CBI, contributing to the work of the Healthcare Panel and the Public Services Strategy Board, and to other representative organisations such as the NHS Confederation.

Mark Aichroth, Commercial Director of Mercury Health, a new company formed to provide elective surgery and diagnostics services to the NHS said: "It is becoming increasingly clear with recent government initiatives that the independent sector and new style providers will play a larger role in the NHS provision of care.    Collective industry groups such as the Independent Healthcare Forum are going to be more important for the independent sector in delivering the highest quality of care and innovation to the NHS.

"Different experiences of providing healthcare support within the NHS will promote a role for the Forum to share with its members best practices within registration, training, quality procedures, decontamination and patient booking and scheduling. Integration of this best practice with the NHS will avoid duplication of processes and procedures.    As a new provider within the healthcare industry, Mercury Health looks forward to the representation and expertise available within the Forum."

The launch was attended by over 150 delegates including Lord Warner, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, whose responsibilities include the Healthcare Commission, quality and clinical governance.

Source: The Independent Healthcare Forum

Contact details: The Independent Healthcare Forum, Ground Floor, 15-19 Bloomsbury Way , London WC1A 2BA , Tel: +44-(0)20-7656-2293, Fax: +44-(0)20-7656-2170, E-mail: IHFinfo@aol.com

  (18/5/04)