Monitor review raises healthcare imbalances

A government review into private healthcare providers has resulted in calls for tax revisions and wider use of the NHS logo that could potentially boost optical practices.

Healthcare regulator Monitor has been asked to examine whether there are matters that mean not all NHS-funded healthcare providers operate on an equal footing.

The 'Fair Playing Field' review, part of the wider Health and Social Care Act roll-out, has tackled issues including VAT, corporation tax, payment systems, teaching and insurance.

An unnamed source told the Daily Telegraph the draft proposals were 'sympathetic to the concerns of the private firms'.

A spokesperson for Monitor initially said nothing would be announced until March when the Secretary of State was due to respond to the review's findings in Parliament. However, after media speculation mounted, Monitor said it would not be recommending private sector providers should be exempt from paying corporation tax.