ISCAS has previously highlighted the blog of Professor Ted Baker, Chief Inspector of Hospitals at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), in which he explained the different escalation points for complaints for NHS funded patients and privately funded patients. In the blog, Professor Baker reminds service providers, including NHS private patient units (NHSPPUs), that private patients … Continue reading ISCAS position on escalating private patient complaints in the NHS

The report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review (IMMDS Review) has been subtitled First Do No Harm – a phrase that those working in healthcare know as a first principle. The report recognises that the healthcare system has lots to be proud of, especially at this time of the pandemic. Sadly the … Continue reading First Do No Harm

In the week of the 72nd Birthday of the NHS, the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) has published a new report that shows how the independent sector has stepped up to increase the support to the NHS. Working together during Covid-19 provides many examples of how healthcare providers have come together to ensure treatments can … Continue reading Health Information Week

The Paterson Inquiry Report was published in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic spread to the UK. The report made a number of recommendations including the need to explain the differences between how private treatment is organised, including the use of ‘practising privileges’ and recommendations on having more effective communication about escalating complaints. ISCAS … Continue reading Patient Focus Group

The news this week about schools has brought the complex issue about reopening any facility into sharp focus. This is also relevant to private healthcare and cosmetic services. The General Medical Council (GMC) has set out how it would respond to doctors considering reopening cosmetic clinics and this can be found on the JCCP website. … Continue reading Reopening services: Guidance from GMC

ISCAS has developed, with the Patients Association, information for people to help signpost them to guidance that can inform conversations about the reintroduction of private healthcare and cosmetic services. This is a very fast-moving position and information is being updated regularly. The COVID-19 recovery strategy means that people should be returning to work where they … Continue reading Patient Information COVID-19: Reopening private services

Subscribers to ISCAS handle complaints as set out in the Code of Practice for Complaints Handling. Standard 2 of the ISCAS Code states that Independent Healthcare Providers (IHPs) shall: Ensure that the procedure for handling complaints is well-publicised and readily available. For example, IHP websites should include information on ‘how to complain’ and confirm their … Continue reading Patient Information – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

During these unprecedented times ISCAS, like so many others, is adapting to the circumstances in order to maintain services and support the wider public health agenda. The priority is that everyone follows the Government’s latest guidance. Here are some of the actions that we, and other organisations we work with, are taking: The ISCAS London … Continue reading Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Issues raised by Paterson highlights how patients were let down time and time again. It is difficult to read given the heart-breaking details of the brave patients who came forward to provide their account. ISCAS would like to extend an apology to all those affected by Ian Paterson who … Continue reading Paterson Report recommends improvements in complaints handling

Professor Ted Baker, in Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) January update for those working in healthcare, reminds providers and professionals that only NHS-funded patients have the right to take their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) for an independent review. This includes NHS-funded care that is delivered by both NHS and independent sector … Continue reading ISCAS welcomes CQC Professor Ted Baker’s January blog