Private care for 250,000 from NHS

The Government is close to announcing a deal to treat thousands of NHS patients at private hospitals, reports today claimed. Ministers have been negotiating with private healthcare groups for the bulk-buying of operations, in a bid to cut waiting lists.

The move will anger some Labour MPs and trade unions who believe the money would be better spent on improving NHS hospitals.

Ministers confirmed the Government's aim to buy about 250,000 operations from private providers, but would not comment on the state of negotiations. Last year the NHS paid £100 million for 60,000 patients to be treated privately.