Increased Number of Individuals Opt for Private Healthcare Due to Delayed NHS Appointments, Study Shows
According to a recent report published by the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) called “Going Private,” nearly half of individuals who opted for private healthcare cited the inability to secure a timely NHS appointment as a significant factor in their decision.
The report also highlighted a shift in generational attitudes towards private healthcare. It revealed that young people between the ages of 18 and 24 were the most likely to have utilized private healthcare services, with four in ten having already done so. In contrast, only 25.6% of individuals aged 45-54 had utilized private healthcare.
The study indicated that almost three-quarters of individuals under the age of 34 would consider using private healthcare if the need arose. This demographic also expressed more positive views towards private healthcare in general and were more likely to avail private GP services.
The primary barrier identified in accessing private healthcare was affordability, with 62.9% of respondents stating that they could not afford it. Additionally, there was a lack of awareness and information about private healthcare costs, as 19.9% of respondents did not know the typical cost of a single private GP appointment.
The study also revealed that individuals who sought private healthcare were almost evenly split between those who self-financed their care (48%) and those who used private insurance plans (49%). Among the younger population and individuals from lower social grades, self-pay was a more popular option.
David Furness, director of policy and delivery at IHPN, expressed surprise over the finding that 18-24 year-olds constituted the age group with the highest number of private healthcare users. He attributed this trend to the pragmatic approach of young people in accessing the necessary healthcare, particularly for GP appointments, scans, and diagnostics.
Furness further highlighted the encouraging overall positivity towards private healthcare indicated by the report. He dismissed the perception that people generally disliked private healthcare, emphasizing that the majority of individuals held positive views, especially among those who had experienced it firsthand.
Furness stressed the importance of employers considering how they could support their workers in accessing healthcare. He noted that economic inactivity levels due to sickness were high and highlighted research demonstrating the value employees placed on private insurance. Furness suggested that employers could play a pivotal role in facilitating access to healthcare for their employees.
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