THE NHS must work hand in glove with the private sector to slash waiting times, Sir Keir Starmer declared yesterday.
In a rebuke of trade union bosses, the PM vowed to be “totally unburdened by dogma” as he announced a new deal to send more patients for treatment in private hospitals.
Sir Keir declared the ailing health service must make “better use” of independent medicine — while keeping care free at the point of use.
A collaboration between the NHS and independent providers will target specialties with the biggest waiting lists.
Ministers hope the move will slash the number of patients waiting more than 18 weeks for an NHS appointment by nearly half a million over the next year.
It comes just months after the PM declared he would never use private health care, even in a matter of life or death.
But yesterday, addressing hard-left Labour MPs and militant doctors’ unions, Sir Keir said: “To cut waiting times as dramatically as possible, our approach must be totally unburdened by dogma.
“Working people will expect nothing less.
“I know some people won’t like this, but I make no apologies. Change is urgent.
“I’m not interested in putting ideology before patients and I’m not interested in moving at the pace of excuses.”
The Department for Health has ordered the private sector to ensure as “broad a cohort of patients as possible” can be treated in their hospitals for free.
Private firms say they should be able to provide the health service with an extra one million appointments every year.
The NHS app will be updated to give patients the options of being treated in an independent venue, paid for by the state.
Health service chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “This new agreement will enable the NHS to make better use of capacity within the private sector where it is needed most, and help us see more patients, free at the point of use.”
