title: Public-private partnerships. Public pain, private gain.
abstract: Using private hospitals over 11 weeks this winter enabled a health authority to remove more than 1,000 patients from waiting lists. Prices were comparable to, and sometimes cheaper than, the NHS. The average cost was 1,120 Pounds per treatment. Patient satisfaction seemed high. Consultant productivity was higher in the private sector.
authors.affiliation: East Surrey Health Authority.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bryson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003363:Cost Control; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom; D014850:Waiting Lists