The latest data from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) shows record levels of Brits are using private healthcare.
More than half of the people in the UK have close family or friends who have used private healthcare. The latest data from the IHPN Going Private report shows that 55% of UK Brits have close friends or family who have used private healthcare, while 32% have used private healthcare for themselves. This was even higher in the East Midlands, with 64% of people knowing close friends or family who have used private healthcare, and in Northern Ireland (59%) and Wales (58%).
David Hare, Chief Executive of IHPN, said: “We are starting to see the proliferation of private healthcare into the mainstream where more and more people are choosing to go private for ease and accessibility. Figures show that most people in the UK know someone close to them who has used private health services either through health insurance or self-pay. It is evidence that people are generally viewing private healthcare as a rapid and easy way to access healthcare.”
The biggest reason that people cite for choosing to go private is that they couldn’t get an NHS appointment quickly enough (45%) and that it was easier to book a private appointment (27%). 20% have private healthcare or health insurance through work, and 17% rated services through private health as being higher quality. 50% of people say that private healthcare is better for accessibility.
The most common treatments that people choose are consultation with doctor (45%), diagnostic treatment such as a scan (45%), consultation with other healthcare professional (35%), GP appointment (34%), minor operation where you went home on the same day (25%), major operation where you needed to stay overnight (16%) and ongoing treatment for a serious problem like cancer treatment (5%).
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