Private Health Provider

Preparing a private provider to work effectively with the NHS

How Productive Partners helped a private health provider strengthen its operating model, referral pathways, governance and engagement with NHS organisations.

The Challenge

A newly acquired healthcare estate needed to understand and meet the operational requirements of working with the NHS.

The provider wanted to expand its services to NHS patients but had limited knowledge of the UK healthcare system, including referral routes, operational expectations and care quality standards. It needed a practical route to strengthen governance, clarify its offer, make better use of its estate and build credible relationships with local trusts and integrated care boards.

Results at a glance

NHS e-RS application

developed to support patient choice and NHS referrals

CQC review completed

to strengthen governance and commissioner confidence

Triage pathway designed

to support the management of NHS referrals

Income dashboard updated

with clearer income and tariff information

What we changed

Productive Partners reviewed the provider's clinical and operational model, then supported service readiness, market engagement and referral pathway development.

Clarify the NHS offer

Developed a concise service brochure and targeted communications for local NHS trusts and integrated care boards.

Create referral routes

Developed and submitted an NHS e-Referral Service Patient Choice application and designed a triage process to support pathway management.

Strengthen quality and governance

Completed CQC inspections and provided a detailed Regulatory Quality Support review, with findings implemented by the provider.

Improve planning and use of capacity

Advised on estate use, inpatient staffing structures and local market opportunities, supported by an updated income and tariff dashboard.

The outcome

The provider became better equipped to engage NHS partners and progress its route into NHS-funded care.

The new service materials and regional market analysis generated greater interest and new conversations with local NHS organisations. The provider also reported increased demand and referrals from local partners.

Implementation of the CQC review findings strengthened governance, while the e-RS application and triage design created a clearer route for future NHS referrals.

Together, these changes improved the provider’s visibility, readiness and credibility with NHS partners.

Reflecting on the partnership

“Their guidance and support have been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals of completing the initial contact with NHS leaders and submitting our e-RS application.”

Site Director