Private provider’s contract is terminated after half of cataract patients experience complications

An NHS hospital has terminated a contract with a private healthcare provider only four days into its term, after half of patients who underwent cataract operations experienced complications.

Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust cut short its contract with Vanguard Healthcare after around half of the 62 patients who had been operated on in a mobile unit at Musgrove Park Hospital reported blurring, swelling, and other adverse effects. An 84 year old retired salesman, who has lost his sight and has been told that he will need a corneal transplant, is taking legal action.

His …