Public-private venture 'to improve access' to info

Dr Foster, a commercial provider of healthcare information, and the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre have formed a new public-private partnership with the aim of improving public access to information.

Dr Foster Intelligence is the name chosen for the new venture which, the partners say, will combine commercial acumen from the private sector with the specialist expertise and public sector commitment of the public sector.

The announcement of the new partnership was short on detail of the specific projects the two parties have in mind. A statement from the Information Centre said: “Drawing on the strengths of both organisations, the new venture will combine Dr Foster’s existing health related business with the Information Centre’s existing analytical services.”

A number of Information Centre staff would be seconded to Dr Foster Intelligence, the statement added. The company is due to be launched operationally on 13 February when, it is understood, more information about Dr Foster Intelligence's planned products and services will be unveiled.

Endorsing the new partnership, health minister, Lord Warner, said: “Better information is vital for health and social care systems to deliver the highest standards of patient and client care in the most effective way. The public have told us that better information is key to them exercising choice and taking more responsibility for their own health. They need this information in a usable form.

"This creative partnership between the Health and Social Care Information Centre and Dr Foster will help to establish an information market which will empower managers, frontline staff and the communities they serve. The key beneficiaries will be the public."

News of the planned partnership leaked out last autumn at the height of a debate about the use of private sector providers in the NHS. The Information Centre defended the discussions at the time saying: "Any partnership would need to bring together the best of the public and private sectors in delivering services to the health and care systems and value to the taxpayer.

"This would potentially encompass private sector dynamism and customer focus alongside public sector ethics and professional expertise. Any venture would look to support public services through innovating and responding quickly to provide better information for decision-making."

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