Maybe so, according to a health policy editor guardian.he wrote As the NHS weakens, private health insurance is becoming a more attractive option.
Long delays in NHS care are now common, causing so much worry, risk and harm to those waiting, and the situation isn't going to get better any time soon because Institute for Fiscal Studies said last week.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies report said it could take months for hip or knee replacement surgery or even cataract surgery to improve vision.
As a result of these issues, private insurance continues to grow in the UK.
recent Data comes from health code…shows record number of surgeries performed on people with private health insurance (PMI) in private clinics and hospitals in 2023 – with activity exceeding £4 billion… Recently Data comes from health codeA report tracking private healthcare use shows a record number of surgeries were carried out on people with private health insurance (PMI) in private clinics and hospitals in 2023, at more than £4 billion.
Common procedures patients receive through private health insurance include blood tests, knee replacements, peripheral nerve blocks, eardrum surgery and tonsillectomy.
Additionally, private hospitals in England are providing more care to NHS patients, similar to how the Veterans Administration outsources some care to private providers. Actually,
… UK private hospitals are carrying out a record number of surgeries on NHS patients, paid for by the NHS – 1.67 million last year and 1.3 million in 2019.
Many employers also offer private health insurance to their employees as a benefit to attract and retain talent.
The article concludes as follows:
Even if a Labor government works to revitalize the NHS, it will not seek to undermine its growing interdependence with the private sector. Yes, a patient's desperation increases a private healthcare provider's dividend, but it also means that patient receives care that a frail and overwhelmed NHS can no longer provide when needed. Sadly, this isn't going to change anytime soon.
recent Daily Mail article Some statistics are provided.
