Independent healthcare fees: consultation analysis report - SG response

Scottish Government Response

It is clear that the consultation responses have not supported increased fees. The responses to the first question revealed only 46% of respondents agree that the regulation of independent healthcare services should continue to be funded through fees charged by HIS to private providers, but almost all were strongly opposed to the proposed increases to the maximum cap on HIS fees.

Through analysis and consideration of the responses, we concluded that respondents are unlikely to be fully representative of the public as a whole, who from the results of previous consultations, have been shown to be supportive of further regulation of independent healthcare services.

Although the priority for the Scottish Government must always be public safety, it is also important that we engage constructively with the responses to a consultation such as this. Following the consultation, we carefully considered the reaction to the proposed increases, and discussed the results and possible alternative solutions with HIS directly.

It was agreed that raising the maximum fees as originally outlined would have been unpopular.

We considered not increasing the maximum cap for the fees at all, but this option could result in HIS being unable to function effectively as the independent healthcare regulator, leading to public safety concerns.

We therefore considered a compromise solution, where fees would be increased and thus HIS would benefit from increased income to fund regulation, but to attempt to mitigate the impact on business by generally cutting the maximum cap originally proposed.

After due consideration, Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, confirmed that the Scottish Government’s decision was to progress with a fee increase but make reductions to some of the proposed maximum fee caps.

This solution would allow HIS to continue to raise their fees annually, covering vital operational costs, while taking account of the views and concerns of respondents to the consultation.

This table details the original fee proposal:

* per bed

The following table details the revised fee proposal:

* per bed