Britain’s private hospitals saw record admissions this year after hundreds of thousands of people sought care through their insurance amid rocketing NHS waiting lists.
Between January and June, 443 000 private treatments took place – a 7% rise from 2022, and most of which were claimed through medical insurance policies, reports The Independent.
According to the Private Hospital Information Network (PHIN), which collects data from hospitals in the sector, there was a 12% increase in the number of people paying for care via insurance, with 157 000 people using this route from January to March, and 148 000 from April to June this year.
The news comes as the NHS’ waiting list continues to grow, with almost 7.8m appointments recorded. Recently published data show that 6.5m people are on the waiting list.
Recent research suggests that the backlog will keep growing until at least August next year.
David Furness, from the Independent Healthcare Provider Network, which represents private hospitals, told The Independent: “The most important factor in people choosing the private sector is long NHS waiting lists, with nearly half – or 46% – of people saying that being unable to get an NHS appointment was a factor.
“We also know that employers are increasingly realising the value of offering private medical insurance to their employees. Our recent polling showed 25% of all businesses now offer PMI for their employees, with a further 20% planning to introduce it in the next year.”
The biggest increases this year in private healthcare was for those needing diagnostic colonoscopy procedures.
The number of consultant doctors working in private hospitals also reached a three-year high in March 2023 at 9 000, the report said.
Dr Ian Gargan, chief executive of PHIN, said the sector was on track to record its highest-ever number of admissions this year.
“… extensive NHS waiting lists are forcing more people to consider their healthcare options, and plan ahead, in ways they have never had to before.
“They may feel they can no longer rely on the public health service …to get the operations they need in a timely manner.”
He said the number of people paying for diagnostics is also increasing as people seek assurance over whether they need treatment rather than risk waiting for NHS services.
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