18 Week Support at the NHS Providers Conference: Wes Streeting Highlights the Critical Role Independent Providers Play in Supporting the NHS
Our team recently had the privilege of joining healthcare leaders from across the UK at the NHS Providers conference in Liverpool. This event brought together key stakeholders committed to improving healthcare delivery and addressing the critical challenges facing the NHS today.
A highlight of the conference was the keynote address delivered by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP. His speech outlined the government’s priorities for the NHS, emphasising the urgent need to tackle waiting lists and expand capacity.
During the session, our CEO, Josh Collins, engaged the Secretary of State in an important conversation by raising a key question about the role of independent sector providers in supporting the NHS.
“We’re an [NHS] insourcer providing support services to many trusts across the country. I wondered what role you feel private services such as ours have in the elective recovery plan?”
– Josh Collins, 18WS Chief Executive Officer
The response from Wes Streeting was both reassuring and inspiring. He reaffirmed that independent providers like 18WS have a critical role in supporting the NHS by delivering quality services and helping expand elective care capacity.
“I’ve taken on some of the arguments around the independent sector before and since the election. We want to use the independent sector to bring down NHS waiting lists where there is spare capacity and flexibility to do so. We’ve got to get the balance right on [things like] standards, quality, and also making sure we’re not robbing Peter to pay Paul in terms of staffing. But, I’m pretty sure with the conversations we’re having with the sector, and the strategic approach we’re taking, that the independent sector can add value without compromising on cost or capacity within the NHS itself and that’s the balance I’m determined to provide.”
– Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
As an NHS-partnered insourcer, 18 Week Support works hand-in-hand with NHS trusts to deliver high-quality services that reduce waiting lists and expand elective care capacity. The Secretary of State’s acknowledgement of the independent sector’s value further validates the critical role we play in the elective recovery plan.
We are proud to be part of the solution, working in partnership with the NHS to ensure patients receive the care they need when needed. By leveraging the flexibility and capacity of the independent sector, together, we can address the challenges facing the NHS and deliver better outcomes for patients across the country.
Get in touch with us to explore how 18 Week Support can partner with your trust to drive meaningful progress in elective care recovery.
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