The government has consistently pledged to “hold the door wide open” to private providers, to help tackle the waiting lists, but usage is declining, with the NHS increasing its work rate
Independent sector (IS) elective activity for the NHS has fallen 12% from its July 2025 peak, using a 4-month rolling average to even out monthly and seasonal variations. The fall coincides with a squeeze on NHS finances across the country.
Every comparable month shows fewer IS procedures than a year earlier — and the gap is widening.
Full article in The Lowdown, 5 April 2026
