The NHS Partners Network (NHSPN) was established in 2005 and incorporated into the NHS Confederation in June 2007.

NHSPN is an alliance of independent (commercial and not-for-profit) healthcare providers involved in all aspects of NHS care at primary, secondary or acute level, including diagnostic and specialist treatment centres.

Our aim is to help independent sector providers become a fully accepted part of a mixed economy NHS that seeks to offer greater patient choice and value for money for patients, taxpayers and shareholders.

David Worskett is the director of the NHSPN. He oversees a dedicated team of staff and helps to steer the work programme on behalf of our members.

We help our members by:

• influencing policy and the public debate, providing a clear voice for our members
• developing solutions with all those providing health and healthcare, to benefit NHS patients and the public
• supporting leaders through networking, sharing information and learning
• showcasing independent NHS healthcare providers and the growing, positive role they play in the modern NHS.

The network is run by a board chaired by Mike Parish of Care UK. Five sub-groups are responsible for driving forward our work programmes:

• commissioning and contracting
• political and policy
• regulation
• clinical forum
• workforce.

The NHS Confederation has a dedicated team which focuses on lobbying and championing the concerns and views of NHSPN members.

The Board meets four times a year and there are regular meetings of the full membership, as well as a formal annual general meeting.