NHS privatisation is putting patients at risk

This blog is written by Joe, a Just Treatment supporter based in South East England.

As someone who worked with the NHS, I understand first hand the challenges that staff are faced with, but privatisation is only putting more pressure on a system that is struggling. And these companies are putting profits before patients.

In April 2023, I was first referred by the NHS to have lung scans through a private company as part of the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme.

On the one hand, this outsourcing meant that I wasn’t expected to wait an unnecessarily long time to have the scans I needed. However, the way it was handled by the company ultimately exposed me to unsafe practices and risked damaging my health.

After having my first scan with a follow up scan 3 months later, I was told the next would be in 12 months. After that, to my surprise, only eight months later, the company booked me in for another scan.

Now this might seem like a good thing; most patients will have experience of getting their care delayed rather than brought forward. However, whilst scans are an important part of preventing, treating and managing many health conditions, we know that they should only be used as is necessary. If scans occur too frequently, they risk damaging the lungs which are sensitive to radiation. As someone who already has lung conditions, exposing me to additional scans when not needed risks worsening my health.

So then I informed the company that it was too soon and needed to cancel it. They told me, very aggressively, that I in fact couldn’t cancel it and had to attend, so I reluctantly went along. This was my third scan and afterwards I began to experience side effects, some of which have cleared up and others which are ongoing.

After having my latest scan I was informed by letter that the next scan would be in 24 months. Then once again, I was booked in early - this time a whole twelve months early! I rang them up and informed them that they had booked me in too soon and I wanted to be seen at the 24 month mark as previously instructed. They were pushy and tried to get me to go sooner. I said no, but I know that not everyone will have the knowledge or confidence to say no.

So what was driving this? Well, it turns out that the private companies conducting these scans have quotas to meet about how many procedures they must undertake in order to meet the conditions of their contracts and get their money. By getting me in early they could better meet those numbers, even if it meant potentially putting my health at risk.

My story is just one of so many examples which highlight why we cannot trust private companies who are putting profits before patient health. That’s why I and millions of NHS patients across the country are so concerned at the government’s plans to increase outsourcing so that more patients are seen in private clinics. What we need instead is proper investment into our public health service so that we don’t have to rely on these unaccountable profit-making companies!