Differences between state and independent sector provision

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) (2023) defines the independent (private) healthcare sector in the UK as any provider of health, or residential nursing care, that is not part of the NHS or a GP service. The UK has a long history of blending and blurring private health services and/or education with that of state systems.

There are five private universities in England. These are Arden, Buckingham, BPP, University of Law, and Regent's University London. Of these, BPP provides pre-registration nurse training.

Student nurses receive their theoretical education in higher education institutions (HEIs). Students then demonstrate their acquired competencies by applying their knowledge and understanding in delivering care in various healthcare settings, some of which will be in the independent sector. The NHS and the independent sector often work in a complementary way to provide services based on population need. The NHS will commission beds in the independent sector to reduce long waiting lists. HEIs will have contracts with independent providers of health care for pre-registration nursing education clinical placements. This partnership working has been extended due to the advent of nurse training by apprenticeships in that the apprenticeship levy is being used to commission independent HEIs, and state HEIs, to develop healthcare organisations' own healthcare assistants and healthcare support workers into registered nurses, or in England to become nursing associates.