Private management of a public service: what can be learned from the CROS experience?

In January 2001, Canadian Radiation Oncology Services (CROS) was awarded the first-ever contract for the private management of a publicly funded department of radiation oncology. CROS saw its first patient in February 2001 and its last patient in August 2003. As of June 30, 2003, CROS had seen 2,018 patients, saving $30 million when compared to out-of-country referral. This raises several important questions.