The government will today unveil plans to treat NHS patients in a private clinic.

In a move that removes the monopoly power of the health service, up to 5000 minor operations will be "bought" by the government from private healthcare insurer Bupa, in a bid to take further pressure off waiting lists.

A combination of private and NHS patients will be treated at the clinic to begin with, eventually serving only NHS patients, although no NHS staff have yet been transferred. This will be the first clinic of 20 that the government hopes to have running by 2004.

Meanwhile, the health staff union Unison is running a £1 million campaign to warn against private management of the NHS.

Health secretary Alan Milburn is planning a shake-up of the Department of Health, where it becomes an "arms-length" regulator of hospitals in a bid to drive up standards.

He is expected to announce the changes shortly, the Independent reports.