Some operations were outsourced to the private sector because NHS hospitals did not have the capacity CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/GETTY IMAGESNearly half of the £2 billion promised to the NHS three years ago was spent on treating patients outside the health service, an analysis has revealed. The extra money in the 2014 autumn statement by George Osborne was said to be an attempt to win over wavering voters before the general election the following year. The investment was hailed by Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, as No 10 listening to his request “to sustain frontline NHS services”. The analysis of health service data for the Financial Times suggests that operations and other medical activities were outsourced to private health providers because NHS hospitals lacked the capacity. The analysis, carried out by the Health Foundation, an independent charity, showed that health commissioners spent £900…

Source: The Times March 26, 2017 23:48 UTC