Health

UK government expands private sector role to tackle NHS waiting times with record appointments

Monday, 27 October 2025 5:07AM UTC

The UK government has significantly increased NHS appointments through private providers, aiming to reduce waiting lists and dismantle a two-tier health system, amid ongoing debates over its effectiveness and future implications.

The number of NHS appointments, tests, and operations delivered by private hospitals and clinics in England has risen significantly, reaching 6.15 million this year—an increase of nearly 500,000 compared to the previous year. This surge forms part of the UK government's strategy to reduce waiting times for NHS patients by utilising spare capacity in the independent healthcare sector. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised that this policy aims to dismantle what he described as a "two-tier" system, where timely treatment is currently influenced by patients' ability to pay. He asserted that the government is committed to ensuring all patients are treated promptly, regardless of wealth.

Private providers currently deliver around 10% of elective NHS activity, conducting an average of 19,000 surgical procedures and 100,000 outpatient appointments weekly, treating over 1.1 million people between August 2024 and September 2025. Streeting highlighted that this approach, alongside the expansion of community diagnostic centres and extended operating hours into evenings and weekends, has contributed to growing NHS productivity and cutting waiting lists by 200,000. He also pointed to investments in modern technology, such as robotic surgery, as part of the broader initiative to enhance treatment delivery.

The government’s target is to ensure that 92% of NHS patients in England wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment. This goal underpins the partnership with the independent sector, which is expected to provide up to an additional one million appointments annually. According to the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, this collaboration is crucial in meeting demand and delivering care free at the point of use.

While these efforts have been welcomed, some critics remain sceptical about the government's overall success in reducing waiting times. Shadow Health Secretary Stuart Andrew acknowledged the role of the private sector in helping patients access care more quickly but maintained that the government is still falling short of its waiting time targets. He also criticised recent pay rises for NHS staff and subsequent strikes, suggesting these developments have not translated into timely treatments for patients.

Beyond outsourcing to private clinics, the government is also expanding NHS capacity through additional measures. Over 1,500 new GPs have been recruited since October 2024 to improve access to general practice and alleviate pressures on the system. Additionally, digital transformations, such as the accelerated rollout of the NHS App and the introduction of all-day online consultation tools at GP practices, have been designed to reduce missed appointments and streamline patient access to care.

The government has reported delivering over two million extra NHS appointments ahead of schedule as part of its Elective Reform Plan. Further financial incentives are being offered to NHS trusts that demonstrate significant progress in cutting waiting lists. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stressed the importance of utilising all available resources, including the independent sector, to improve patient care and meet the 18-week referral-to-treatment standard.

While the collaboration between the NHS and private providers represents a pragmatic response to the ongoing demands on healthcare services, the debate continues over the implications for the future of NHS provision and whether the perception of a two-tier system can be fully eliminated.

📌 Reference Map:

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Paragraph 6 – ^[7] (UK Government), ^[3] (UK Government), ^[1] (Wales Online)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/private-clinics-carrying-out-more-32752616 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faster-care-for-thousands-thanks-to-nhs-use-of-independent-sector - The UK government has partnered with the private sector to provide faster care for NHS patients, delivering over 6 million appointments, tests, and operations this year, nearly 500,000 more than the previous year. This collaboration aims to reduce waiting times and ensure prompt treatment for NHS patients in England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of this initiative in addressing the 'two-tier' healthcare system and ensuring that wealth does not determine health outcomes. The use of private sector capacity is central to the government's goal of having 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/deal-between-nhs-and-independent-sector-to-cut-nhs-waiting-lists - A new agreement between the NHS and the independent sector aims to tackle hospital waiting list backlogs by expanding capacity and providing patients with greater choice. The partnership is part of the government's Plan for Change, targeting the 18-week NHS waiting time standard for operations and other planned procedures. The independent healthcare sector estimates it can provide an additional one million appointments annually for NHS patients. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of utilizing all available resources to reduce waiting times and improve patient care.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-1500-extra-gps-recruited-to-fix-front-door-of-the-nhs - The UK government has recruited over 1,500 additional GPs since October 1, 2024, as part of its Plan for Change to improve access to general practice and reduce waiting times. This initiative aims to ease pressure on GPs and cut waiting lists, allowing patients to book appointments more easily and bringing back the family doctor. The recruitment boost follows the government's removal of red tape that made it difficult for surgeries to hire doctors, and is part of a broader effort to modernize general practice and improve patient care.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-app-expansion-cuts-waiting-times - The UK government's accelerated rollout of the NHS App has helped prevent 1.5 million hospital appointments from being missed, saving 5.7 million staff hours since July 2024. The app now offers services in 87% of hospitals, up nearly 20% since July 2024, exceeding the government's target. The app allows patients to manage appointments, view prescriptions, access GP health records, and receive notifications, providing greater choice and flexibility in accessing healthcare services and reducing stress on healthcare services.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/online-gp-appointment-requests-available-everywhere-from-today - From October 1, 2025, all GP practices in England are required to keep online consultation tools open throughout the day, allowing patients to request appointments, ask questions, and describe symptoms online rather than calling or visiting in person. This move aims to free up practice phone lines for those who need them most and make it more convenient for patients to access appointments. Evidence shows that where practices have adopted this approach, both staff and patients report improved service quality.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-two-million-extra-nhs-appointments-delivered-early-as-trusts-handed-40-million-to-go-further-and-faster - The UK government has delivered over two million extra NHS appointments ahead of schedule, including treatments, tests, and scans, as part of its Elective Reform Plan. This achievement marks a significant step towards reducing waiting lists and improving patient care. An additional £40 million is set to be handed to trusts that deliver the biggest improvements in cutting waiting lists, supporting the government's goal of meeting the 18-week treatment target by the end of this Parliament.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is current, with the earliest known publication date being 25 October 2025. It has been reported by multiple reputable outlets, including ITV News ([itv.com](https://www.itv.com/news/2025-10-25/private-clinics-carrying-out-more-nhs-appointments-and-procedures?utm_source=openai)) and The Independent ([independent.co.uk](https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/nhs-private-wes-streeting-health-b2852387.html?utm_source=openai)). The UK Government also released a press statement on 26 October 2025 ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faster-care-for-thousands-thanks-to-nhs-use-of-independent-sector?utm_source=openai)). The presence of a press release indicates a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: Direct quotes from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, such as "I’ll do everything I can to get NHS patients treated faster, free at the point of use," are consistent across multiple sources, including the UK Government's press release ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faster-care-for-thousands-thanks-to-nhs-use-of-independent-sector?utm_source=openai)) and The Independent ([independent.co.uk](https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/nhs-private-wes-streeting-health-b2852387.html?utm_source=openai)). This consistency suggests the quotes are accurately attributed and not recycled from earlier material.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from reputable organisations: ITV News, The Independent, and the UK Government. These sources are well-established and trustworthy, enhancing the credibility of the information presented.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims about the increase in NHS appointments delivered by private clinics align with data from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, which reported over 6 million appointments in 2024/25 ([ihpn.org.uk](https://www.ihpn.org.uk/ihpn-quarterly-nhs-data-june-2025/?utm_source=openai)). The narrative also includes specific figures and statements from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, corroborated by multiple reputable sources, indicating a high level of plausibility.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is current, with consistent and accurate quotes from a reputable source. The information is corroborated by multiple trustworthy organisations, and the claims are plausible and supported by data. No significant issues were identified, indicating a high level of credibility.

NHS
Private healthcare
Waiting times