Private hospitals to provide cancer and spinal surgery during coronavirus crisis

Private hospitals around the country are to provide cancer and spinal surgery during the coronavirus crisis.

Locally, the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, Stockport, which is run by BMI Healthcare, will take on a range of services from The Christie and other NHS providers - at cost price.

It is understood that as well as cancer and spinal surgery, private healthcare providers will also deliver some cardiac and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) services.

A regional spokesperson for NHS England said:

"As part of the ongoing response to COVID-19, the NHS is working with the private sector to support cancer services, ensuring they continue to provide the highest level of care.

"In addition, the NHS is working with independent hospitals to ensure the health service has more resources, so it can continue to deliver cancer treatment and urgent operations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Under a major deal struck with independent hospital sector, the NHS will now have access to an extra 8,000 hospital beds across England, nearly 1200 more ventilators, more than 10,000 nurses, over 700 doctors and over 8,000 other clinical staff."

While a spokesperson for BMI The Alexandra Hospital said:

"We have been providing services for NHS patients for a number of years as part of the local healthcare network, and so when NHS England commissioned all private sector hospitals for NHS patients we already had measures in place.

"Our role is to support the NHS, including providing services and equipment.

"The Alex is the only independent hospital in the north west of England offering cardiac services and we will continue to make these available to the NHS along with spinal surgery and cancer surgery.

"Facilities here, which are at the NHS’ disposal, also include our inpatient wards, operating theatres and intensive care beds. We are proud to work alongside the NHS and support our healthcare and wider communities."

A response centre has been set up at The Christie Hospital which has dedicated wards for coronavirus patients.

Senior management at The Christie say cancer treatments are still taking place, but added that adjustments have been made to the way patients receive care. Non-essential consultations are to take place over the phone, rather than in person, and the hospital will be reviewing individual treatment on a case-by-case basis.

Lesley Herbertson, Partner within the Clinical Negligence team here at Potter Rees Dolan, comments:

At a time of national crisis, it is important that as many clinical resources as possible are being made available to those that require important treatment, whether than be in respect of Covid-19 or other life threatening conditions. The fact that NHS England is able to extend an already existing service relationship with the private sector is another welcome addition to the country’s stretched healthcare services.

Lesley is a Partner within our renowned Clinical Negligence team. If you would like to speak to Lesley or any of our expert solicitors with regards to Medical Negligence, please call 0800 027 2557 or fill out a contact form on the side of this page. Alternatively, you can contact Lesley directly here.