Selected NHS services opened up for new providers

The NHS is to set to allow external providers to offer a number of key healthcare services as part of new measures designed to offer patients more choice.

Coming into effect in April 2012, the reforms will see an initial selection of eight different services to be offered either by NHS providers, independent sector providers, or voluntary or third sector organisations.

These include back and neck pain treatment, community adult hearing services, wheelchair provision for children, podiatric therapy, and leg ulcer and wound healing.

Every region in England will be expected to offer a choice of providers for a minimum of three areas by September 2012, with the number of services included in this initiative to be expanded in 2013.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "This is a big day for patients – real choice over how and where they are treated is becoming a reality."

Responding to the announcement, the British Medical Association stated that it supports the principle of offering more choice, but warned that the competitive aspects of the move could have a negative impact.