3 Response Accepted

Explaining independent sector differences

Recommendation

We recommend that the differences between how the care of patients in the independent sector is organised and the care of patients in the NHS is organised is explained clearly to patients, so that they understand how the engagement of their consultant, their practising privileges, their indemnity, and emergency and intensive care arrangements work.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
- In December 2021, the government accepted this recommendation, stating that CQC now requires independent healthcare providers to ensure patients understand arrangements relating to consultant engagement, practising privileges, indemnity, and complaints processes as part of registration conditions (Government Response to the Paterson Inquiry, DHSC, December 2021).
- The December 2022 implementation update stated that the Competition and Markets Authority requires independent practitioners to send cost estimates and procedure information to patients pre-consultation, and that the government planned to publish information explaining differences between NHS and independent sector care arrangements in 2023 (Paterson Inquiry Implementation Update, DHSC, December 2022).
- No published government information document specifically explaining the differences between NHS and independent sector care arrangements has been identified to March 2026.
Sources
How was this evidence gathered?
Evidence searched by Claude (Anthropic) on 10 Apr 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The evidence above reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted
Accepted Department of Health and Social Care
16 Dec 2021

Accepted. CQC now requires independent healthcare providers to ensure patients understand these arrangements as part of their registration conditions. The Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) also provides comparative information. Independent providers should explain consultant engagement arrangements, practising privileges, indemnity cover, and emergency care arrangements. (Source: Government Response, December 2021)

Source
Inquiry Paterson Inquiry
Report Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Issues raised by Paterson 04 Feb 2020
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Department of Health and Social Care Primary
Themes & Tags
No person-centred care Patient safety governance Independent Sector Patient Information Informed Consent
Recommendation age 6.3 yrs
Last formal update 1627 days ago