NHS private sector plans axed

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson denied there had been a change in policy despite cancelling a number of schemes.

Mr Johnson said health officials had recommended terminating the contract of one provider and dropping six other schemes which were "unlikely to provide value for money".

However, in a Commons written statement he insisted that the independent sector would play an "increased role" where it was needed.

Tories said the move was an admission of "incompetence and failure" in the Department of Health's procurement process.

Mr Johnson did give the green light to three projects with a combined value of approximately £200 million that are expected to provide 19,600 diagnostic scans and 123,000 kidney dialysis sessions per year. A further seven schemes are being considered, with a final decision due by the end of March next year.

Mr Johnson said: "The reduction in the overall size of the procurement does not represent a change in policy. As I have stated before, we will continue to use the independent sector."

But he said the Government will now move towards greater local procurement of services with a new Independent Sector Procurement Forum to allow representatives of private firms and charities to advise on policies and practices.

The schemes which will be dropped are: North East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Referral Assessment Diagnostics and Treatment Service; North East Diagnostics; South East Diagnostics; Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge Electives; Cumbria and Lancashire Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service; Hampshire and Isle of Wight Electives.

The director general of the commercial directorate had also advised that the contract with Care UK for diagnostic services in the West Midlands should be terminated because it only had a 5% uptake rate.