Regulatory Approval

RNS Number : 5770S

Spire Healthcare Group PLC

25 September 2014

 



Spire Healthcare responds to conclusion of Monitor's investigation into the commissioning of elective services in Blackpool

Spire Healthcare, the leading private hospitals group, welcomes the publication of Monitor's investigation into the commissioning of elective services in Blackpool today (September 25).

The investigation followed a complaint by Spire Fylde Coast Hospital in September 2013 that Blackpool CCG and Fylde and Wyre CCG were in breach of their regulatory obligations in relation to the commissioning of elective care in Blackpool and the surrounding area.

Spire is pleased that following a year-long investigation Monitor has agreed that the CCGs were not providing sufficient objective information to support patients and their GPs in choosing a hospital for routine elective care.

Spire is disappointed that Monitor did not reach a conclusion on whether the block contract between the CCGs and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which provided the Trust with a guaranteed income regardless of the number of patients that chose to use its services, was against patients' interests.

However, Spire notes that this agreement between the clinical commissioning groups and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has now ended. Spire is also pleased that Monitor plans to further analyse the implications for patients of providers and commissioners departing from payment arrangements set out in the Standard Acute Contract.

Liz Cousins, Hospital Director at Spire Fylde Coast Hospital, said: "We are pleased that this matter has been resolved in the best interests of patients. We were extremely reluctant to raise this complaint with the regulator one year ago but we felt strongly that the rights of patients to choose to be treated at their preferred hospital, which is guaranteed by the NHS Constitution, should be defended."

"We look forward continuing to work in partnership with Blackpool CCG and Fylde & Wyre CCG to provide NHS patients with the high quality care and choice that they expect."

Ends

About Spire Healthcare

Spire Healthcare is one of the UK's largest private hospital providers with 39 hospitals, and 12 clinics nationwide. The company offers a full range of integrated surgical, medical and diagnostic services.

The company was formed from the sale of BUPA Hospitals to private equity company Cinven in 2007, followed by the purchase of Classic Hospitals and Thames Valley Hospital in 2008. Spire has since built Spire Shawfair Park Hospital (Edinburgh), the Montefiore Hospital in Brighton, and acquired Lifescan.  In July 2014 Spire Healthcare floated on the London Stock Exchange.

Since Spire was formed, performance improvements have included:

·    Multiple Independent Healthcare Awards: 'Excellence in Training' (2013) 'Medical Practice' (2012) 'Innovation' (2011), 'Risk Management' and 'Nursing Practice' (2010), 'Nursing Practice' (2009), and 'Healthcare Outcomes' (2008)

·     Increase in percentage of patients rating Spire 'excellent' or 'very good' - from 88% in 2008 to 92% in 2013* 

·     Increase in percentage of consultant surgeons rating Spire 'excellent' or 'very good' - from 51% in 2008 to 78% in 2013* 

·     Increase in percentage of employees who think Spire is a 'great place to work' - from 62% in 2009 to 72% in 2013.

For further information please visit: www.spirehealthcare.com.

* Rating options include 'excellent', 'very good', 'quite good', 'quite poor', 'very poor' and 'totally unacceptable'

For further information please contact:

Louise Mansergh, Spire Healthcare

020 7427 9020

Martin Barrow, Maitland

020 7395 0444

07843 068912

 

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