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Spire Healthcare remains committed to supporting the NHS to reduce waiting lists

06 Jan 2025

Justin Ash, CEO of Spire Healthcare said: “Spire Healthcare and the independent healthcare sector in Britain is already making a meaningful contribution to helping the NHS reduce waiting lists. At Spire alone we cared for almost 200,000 NHS patients in 2023. Since March 2020, more than 623,800 NHS patients have been cared for at Spire hospitals - these are people who would otherwise still be waiting and potentially in pain.

“We welcomed previous steps taken to expand patient choice and again welcome today’s announcement of the agreement which reflects the continuing partnership between the government and independent sector to reduce waiting lists.

“Spire continues to invest in our excellent workforce, new technology and in 2023 invested £84.4m in new facilities including three new community clinics at Spire Abergele in Wales, Spire Ella May Barnes in Norwich and Spire Harrogate to meet the growing healthcare needs in our communities. If we identify demand to add NHS contracting to those sites, we will do so.

“Spire has the capability to help a greater numbers of NHS patients, and as a result of this agreement stands ready to do even more to improve the health of the nation.”

  • Spire performs elective surgery for NHS patients, such as hip and knee replacements, general surgeries such as hernias, as well as gynaecology and ear, nose and throat services, and pain management. Importantly, this activity is at the same tariff prices as local NHS Trusts.
  • We invest our own capital into our sites – at no charge to the NHS – in the latest equipment and facilities, and NHS patients can benefit from these.
  • Most of our NHS work comes from NHS GPs via the Electronic Referral System (eRS) which allows patients to book appointments with providers with the shortest waits. Other NHS work comes through direct commissioning from ICBs.
  • Our acquisition of Vita Health Group, which is the largest outsourced provider of NHS Talking Therapies in England, enables us to provide mental health support to NHS patients. Vita also provides musculoskeletal and dermatology services to NHS patients. In 2023, Vita provided care to over 165,000 NHS patients.