No evidence that independent sector centres are cheaper or better

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 25th Jul 2006

Commenting on the Health Select Committee report on Independent Sector Treatment Centres, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Sandra Gidley said:

"This is yet another example of the Government introducing powerful forces into the NHS without any prior assessment of the impact they will have on patient care.

"There is no evidence that Independent Sector treatment centres are any cheaper or deliver any better services than NHS treatment centres or private hospitals working within the NHS.

"Yet the Government is going ahead with a costly second phase expansion of the programme - despite a potentially damaging impact on nearby hospitals in financial trouble.

"Diversity of provision is essential - but must not work against the best interests of local health needs."

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