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OFT to study private healthcare market | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
An investigation into how well the £5.5bn private healthcare market is working is being planned by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). | |
It will examine the nature of competition in the market, as well as whether it is fully competitive. | It will examine the nature of competition in the market, as well as whether it is fully competitive. |
The OFT said its preliminary research had raised questions about whether the market was working well for private patients. | The OFT said its preliminary research had raised questions about whether the market was working well for private patients. |
It aims to formally launch its investigation in spring next year. | It aims to formally launch its investigation in spring next year. |
Meantime, it is seeking views on the proposed scope of the study. | Meantime, it is seeking views on the proposed scope of the study. |
The OFT says the private healthcare market is of growing importance due to an ageing population, improved medical outcomes and higher life expectancy. | |
It added that it was of growing importance to the NHS because of government initiatives that allow NHS patients to seek treatment from private healthcare providers in certain circumstances. | It added that it was of growing importance to the NHS because of government initiatives that allow NHS patients to seek treatment from private healthcare providers in certain circumstances. |
Sonya Branch, OFT senior director of services and public markets said: "We are keen to focus on whether patients and buyers of private healthcare, including the NHS, are getting the full benefit of choice and competition." | Sonya Branch, OFT senior director of services and public markets said: "We are keen to focus on whether patients and buyers of private healthcare, including the NHS, are getting the full benefit of choice and competition." |
She added that as the area was a complex one, the OFT would be speaking to providers, patients and government to make sure that it focussed on the correct issues. | She added that as the area was a complex one, the OFT would be speaking to providers, patients and government to make sure that it focussed on the correct issues. |
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