Doubts emerge over NHS contracts and PM’s helicopter ride

The awarding of lucrative NHS contracts to a company owned by major Tory Party donor Frank Hester and the provision of a paid helicopter ride for Rishi Sunak prompts concerns about transparency, accountability, influence, and potential conflicts of interest.

I n a country where public health is a fundamental right, the awarding of significant contracts to private companies raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the potential for conflicts of interest.

A recent investigation by Good Law Project has thrown a spotlight on the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and The Phoenix Partnership, a company owned by Frank Hester, a major financial supporter of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Frank Hester’s Generous Donations

The Phoenix Partnership has received substantial contracts from the DHSC, valued at almost £140 million and growing. These contracts involve the provision of software to around 2,700 GP surgeries in England, enabling them to manage patients’ electronic medical records. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the company has garnered over £137 million from these contracts.