Patient safety in private hospitals – the known and the unknown risks

Written By Colin Leys & Professor Brian Toft OBE

This report brings together what is known about patient safety in private hospitals. It offers new insights into the number of patient safety incidents in private hospitals, analyses the potential risks inherent in the way that these services operate, and makes recommendations to improve transparency in the private sector.

The report also confirms that the NHS serves as a ‘safety net’ for the private sector with around 6,000 people a year transferred to NHS hospitals following treatment in private hospitals.

Colin Leys & Professor Brian Toft OBE
Colin Leys

Colin is an emeritus professor at Queen’s University, Canada, and an honorary professor at Goldsmiths, University of London. Since 2000 he has written extensively on health policy. He is co-author with Stewart Player of Confuse and Conceal: the NHS and Independent Sector Treatment Centres.

Professor Brian Toft OBE

Educated at the Universities of Lancaster, Exeter, Cambridge and Cardiff Brian Toft is the Principal of Risk Partnerships, Emeritus Professor of Patient Safety at Coventry University, visiting Professor of Patient Safety at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and holds several senior advisory positions including membership of the World Health Organisation’s European Regional Advisory Council on patient safety and healthcare.

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