Collaborative post. In a world brimming with COVID-19-related statistics, the number of lives saved by the relentlessly heroic efforts of NHS workers will never be precisely known. Yet from the outset, it was inevitable that the arrival of the first global pandemic in over a century would create unprecedented stress on an already burdened healthcare system. Two years after the UK’s first national lockdown, the long-term effects of that trauma are becoming clear. Here we look at the advantages of private healthcare and why more of us are considering this option.
The Advantages of Private Healthcare
Is It Worth the Wait?
By December 2020, NHS England’s own data showed patients waiting over a year for routine hospital care. This was a staggering 100 times higher than pre-pandemic levels. According to a December 2021 Parliamentary report on NHS backlogs, 6.07 million patients were waiting for elective care. This marked the largest waiting list since records began.
The NHS is currently committed to a maximum wait of no longer than 18 weeks between a GP’s referral and the start of patient treatment. However, the same report found only 64% of patients waited less than 18 weeks, even though NHS performance standards require that figure to be at least 92%. Only two-thirds of patients with an urgent referral for suspected cancer were treated within the required two-month period from referral.
Elective Surgery Is Not ‘Unimportant’ Surgery
Of course, it’s only right the NHS should focus first on caring for those with potentially life-threatening conditions. The knock-on effect of this unavoidable post-pandemic prioritisation has left those needing elective procedures with the longest waits for treatment.
Elective surgery is any procedure able to be scheduled in advance because it doesn’t involve a medical emergency. Too often, people think of elective surgeries as predominantly cosmetic, such as removing warts or moles. However, elective procedures encompass planned orthopaedic treatments, such as hip replacements, knee replacements, and hernia operations. These treatments can greatly improve the quality of a patient’s life and are still very important.
“Unfortunately, planned orthopaedic treatment has some of the longest waits in the NHS, because of the disruption caused by the pandemic.”
Professor Neil Mortensen, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, speaking to the Daily Mail.
The lives of patients needing these types of treatment may not be in danger, but that certainly doesn’t mean the surgery they’re waiting for is frivolous or unimportant. The pain endured by many while waiting for these types of elective surgeries has a serious impact on their quality of life. Discomfort from these often increases with time.
Waiting for Treatment Can Be Painful and Stressful
Unfortunately, the discomfort caused by waiting too long for treatment for debilitating conditions can have a further impact. It can induce stress, anxiety, and sometimes even depression. Researchers have found that the psychological burden of long waits for treatment can impact both patients and caregivers.
In light of this, more people than ever before are seeking swifter treatment through private healthcare. Right now, private healthcare can play a crucial role within the nation’s healthcare framework. Patients who need treatment quickly and have the financial resources can do so through having private healthcare. In doing so, they also assist in reducing the current NHS backlog.
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Private Health Brings Peace of Mind
Post-pandemic, the understanding that private healthcare often delivers better outcomes faster, resulting in greater peace of mind, seems to have filtered through the entire population. A recent YouGov poll found that 29% of adults between 18 and 34 were now more likely to consider paying for treatment. At nearly a third, this was the highest increase in any section of the population surveyed.
Private healthcare also provides the peace of mind that comes from getting care whenever you need it. The pressure on the NHS makes it almost as hard to get an initial appointment with a GP as a date for a hospital procedure. Private healthcare gives you the peace of mind of knowing you will get a GP appointment and the necessary treatment.
Understanding that health issues, large and small, need to be dealt with as they occur, private hospitals have established walk-in hospital clinics. Many are open seven days a week and deal specifically with minor injuries and illnesses. Private healthcare allows adults and children to be seen by a GP and have treatment quickly, avoiding and reducing NHS queues.
Having looked at The Advantages of Private Healthcare is this something you might be considering for yourself or your family?
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The NHS s supposed to be one of the best healthcare systems in the world next to Canada. It’s true that private healthcare has many big advantages when it comes to elective surgery.
I know loads that have had to wait for ages for procedures to be done by the NHS that could greatly improve their life. It’s no longer as good as it used to be.
I’ve never actually thought about it before. There is some major food for thought here.
It is something many of us will consider at some stage.
Private health care is close my heart because Me. G and I are getting older.
It can be something that you want to consider especially as you get older.
I don’t know much about private healthcare but anything has to be better than what we currently have. Hardly anything is covered and finding a doctor that takes our insurance is a nightmare.
It’s important to get a good insurance that covers your needs.
Time is what matters when you have a health concern. If private health care is providing results and cutting down wait time, then it makes sense to shift to that option.
It can if you need treatment for something. it’s not always fun waiting if you are in pain or uncomfortable.
This is such a tough subject, because I absolutely believe that publicly funded health care that is accessible to and free to everyone in need is absolutely necessary and important. I would like to see expansions into Dental Care (which is thankfully starting to happen here), Pharmacare and Vision Care as well. But private health care can absolutely play a role and be a great option in some circumstances, most especially during (or exacerbated by) this pandemic.
It can help to have private healthcare. The amount of time you could wait otherwise can be crazy.
I can see how this would be beneficial. We just have the insurance that comes with my husband’s job in the military. It can be a pain though, ugh.
It really does help if you need healthcare and don’t want to wait for ages to have treatment.
Thank you so much for sharing! Such great insight and things to think about! Going to have to look further into this!
It is important to weigh up if this would be something you can do.
I have private health care. It is good to know the advantages of it.
It really is good that you get treatment fast when you have private healthcare.
Private healthcare is a benefit indeed. No need to appoint and such, and you get quality treatment.
The level of service can be so much better.
This is such a really great and very informative post! Thanks for sharing this with us! I am considering private healthcare at the moment.
Thanks Richelle, I’m sure you’ll be much happier going private.
My dad had cataracts on both eyes and because of covid there was a really long waiting list. They sent him to a private hospital and he now has 2 good working eyes. If he was still on the NHS waiting list, he would still be on it now.
It’s awful isn’t it the amount of time it can take for treatment. The NHS is overloaded and underfunded.
It’s so sad that people are having to wait on the list for so long. Private healthcare is more quickly. It can also be too expensive for some.
It can be expensive but sometimes worth having insurance to make sure you are seen quickly.
I have had a few health scares in my life and now have private health insurance as a result and wouldn’t be without it. And with our crumbling NHS system I think it is necessary if you can afford it.
I agree, if you can afford it it’s important to have.
I see the good benefits here of private healthcare and I think it’s worth investing in. I’ll have to look into it more.
It is something more and more are considering.
Yes, once healthcare goes public, quality goes out the window.
It isn’t the best these days.
It kind of sucks if you don’t have great insurance. It would be nice to have better healthcare in our country, but we just seem to have longer wait times.
Waiting times are so long now people are going for private where possible.
I really didn’t think of private health care but after reading about the benefits. That’s awesome! I will look more into it.
I am sure you’ll find this could be a far better option.
I don’t ill often, but I can’t believe that you have to wait that long for health care!
If it’s urgent you are seen faster but some things may greatly affect you but as they are not urgent could mean you wait a while for treatment.
Oh yes! I think that private healthcare is so important. I am considering to use it in the feature!
It is something that can be important to have.
Private healthcare is a great option and one I am strongly considering. I prefer the fact you are seen faster.
It is useful when you need treatment to be able to see someone quickly.
Hmm, very interesting. I’m stuck as it’s out of my price range so I think I will just keep my opinion to myself on this, lol.
There are a number of options so you never know. There may be something that would work for you.
Hhhhmmm…to be honest, I am not sure. One day, you have the funds on you to cover your treatment and on another day, you don’t have a penny. It’s very tricky!
Paying for treatments to go private can be expensive. Having private healthcare can help as it will cover the costs.
I have private health care. I find it helpful when I need to see a doctor or have treatment and don’t want to wait forever to do this.
The waiting times when you are waiting on the NHS are far too long. Private healthcare wins when it comes to that.
I am currently using private health care mostly because here is considered a better option than the public one (equipment and specialist wise). It is even more important in my eyes for childbirth which is my main current consern (I am due in a couple of weeks). My family chose private for themselves, also with the private plan you might be more sure they don’t want to overcharge you right here and now because they want you long term
There is a notable difference between the two options.
Wow, that’s a lot of people waiting to be treated. I can agree that waiting for care can be more uncomfortable than you think. Something so simple can become serious. I am glad to hear that private healthcare is available for folks that need help and care.
Maureen
It can be a great option for ensuring you are seen and treated quickly.
I hope we can have this kind of services too that is affordable. It is really costly atm but I think is preferred too by the majority here.
It might be an idea to shop around Michael.
“Private healthcare can play a crucial role within the nation’s healthcare framework. Patients who need treatment quickly and have the financial resources can do so through having private healthcare.” I agree with that statement. I love how convenient and peaceful.
It can help cut out some of the worry that’s for sure.
Totally agree with the advantages of private health care. Takes out the stress and waiting at what is usually an already stressful enough time x
That’s very true. It really is great if you have it.
I’m sure the people who can afford it are opting for private healthcare now because of the delays in elective surgeries due to the pandemic.
They certainly are and who can blame them. The treatment is so much faster and the expereince can be better too.
This is a good option. We actually prefer private healthcare too. We feel that it’s faster and safer and we get attended with a more personalized approach.
That can be very true. It is amazing the difference in the approach.
If I could afford it, I would definitely go for private healthcare. My son was very sick the other day and it took over 7 hours for a doctor to call me back after calling 111. Then it took another 3 hours before the ambulance arrived.
Oh no, that’s awful. I hope he’s feeling better now.
This is something I have thought about a few times – helpful post!
It can be a big decision but in most cases well worth it.
I would like to have private health care
If you can afford it, why not. It makes sense.
Agree with private healthcare for non-urgent elective/cosmetic surgery etc but anything else could be seen as queue-jumping and taking vital resources out of the NHS – often at the expense of others. Support the NHS and free healthcare for all.
It would be nice to have free healthcare but these days it’s not always an option.
If I could afford it I would definitely pay for private healthcare. I had operation funded by the nhs but carried out at a private hospital, and it was fantastic. I had my own room that had an ensuite, and the selection of food for each meal was amazing!
It can be so much nicer. Honestly, the difference is amazing as you saw.
We have gone private for dental care, because we just couldn’t find an nhs dentist. It’s expensive and not something we can technically afford, but it is worth it.
I don’t blame you. No one seems to be accepting NHS patients at the moment.
I can definitely see the benefit if you can afford it
It helps to shop around when looking.
Private health care is something I would consider when I get older.
It can be helpful to have.
its not something i’ve every given much thought too but this makes for interesting reading.
Thanks Sharon. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Private healthcare is something I have been considering. Thanks for sharing this useful article.
It can be useful to have it in case it’s needed.
Oh wow, very useful information.
Thanks Stacy.