By Ian Quinn
Private firms are demanding an investigation into claims that PCTs are unfairly favouring NHS providers, in an attempt to force the health service open to further competition.
The NHS Cooperation and Competition Panel is reviewing the operation of the ‘any willing provider' model of choice in elective NHS services at the Department of Health's request – and has received a series of complaints from private firms that they have been cut out of service configurations.
Circle Health Ltd is among those to lodge a complaint, with the firm alleging NHS Wiltshire and NHS Bath and North East Somerset breached the any willing provider policy in cutting contracts for elective services as part of a cost-saving drive.
Private firms claim bias to NHS
