Letter: No inquiry into PPP

The Office of Fair Trading has confirmed to us that it is not conducting an "informal inquiry" regarding PPP healthcare, as incorrectly stated in your report "Fair trading probe at PPP" (Business, 14 December). The claim that we are forcing customers to use certain hospitals is also untrue. PPP healthcare customers can always be treated in the hospital of their choice. If they choose a hospital that is included in our directory of recommended hospitals we will pay for their treatment in full (subject to the terms of their medical insurance policy with us). If they opt for for treatment in a hospital that is not included in our directory we will make substantial payment for their treatment. Finally, we have purchased our 50 per cent share of our four London hospitals from Columbia/HCA, not BMI.

Bob Challens

PPP healthcare

Tunbridge Wells, Kent