BMA is “deeply concerned” by 35% rise in spending on private providers in three years

Spending on independent sector providers (ISPs) for NHS services by the Department of Health has risen by £2.5bn (€2.8bn; $3.5bn) over three years to £9bn, an analysis by the BMA has found.1

The BMA says that it remains “deeply concerned” about the growing role of private providers in NHS care because of a worrying lack of transparency and accountability about their activities, despite progress in some areas. It said that it will continue to lobby for greater openness and ultimately for legislative change to move beyond what it calls the current “discredited competition framework” in England.

The BMA’s report1 covers 2013-14 to 2016-17 and shows that the …