Emergence of Two-Tier Health System Due to NHS Waits
A two-tier health system is developing, with an increasing number of people opting to pay for tests and treatments in the private sector to avoid long NHS waiting times, according to a patient watchdog.
Healthwatch England reported that patient feedback combined with polling data indicates a rise in private sector usage, with extended NHS waits cited as a primary reason.
Private providers noted that alongside increased payments for treatments, some patients are using private services to obtain scans and tests before returning to the NHS with results, aiming to receive quicker care.
The government stated it is implementing improvements and is committed to reducing delays that lead some individuals to seek private care.
A survey of nearly 2,600 people in England revealed that 16% had used private healthcare in the past year, up from 9% two years earlier. Among those who paid for care, 40% attributed their decision to long NHS waiting times.
The poll also suggested that higher income correlates with greater private healthcare use, finding that 35% of individuals earning over £80,000 had used private services in the past year, compared to 10% of those earning under £20,000.
'I was in tremendous pain but the NHS couldn't help'
Chloe Leckie, from Buckinghamshire, is among many who turned to private healthcare after years of struggling with endometriosis.
She sought a hysterectomy but, following multiple NHS appointments and delays, was only offered physiotherapy and drug treatments.
When her husband's work health insurance policy changed, covering her treatment, she opted for private care and underwent a hysterectomy last year to remove her womb and appendix. She continues to pay privately for physiotherapy.
"I was in tremendous pain, but just could not get the help I needed from the NHS," said Leckie.
"I was lucky really that the policy change meant I could go private – I know not everybody has that opportunity."
Four in 10 Wait Longer Than NHS Target for Treatment
Healthwatch England, which analyzed 390,000 pieces of public feedback over three years, emphasized the need for government action to improve waiting times.
The organization recommended that the NHS provide more information to patients during waits to reassure them about expected timelines and assist with symptom management.
Currently, nearly 40% of patients wait longer than the NHS target of 18 weeks for hospital treatment.
Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network shows that nearly 950,000 operations and treatments were performed in the UK private sector last year.
Additionally, patients are paying privately for scans and tests before returning to the NHS for treatment.
While the NHS aims for a six-week target for tests and scans, private providers can arrange these within as little as 48 hours.
It is estimated that over one million such tests are conducted annually as patients attempt to expedite NHS waits.
The watchdog also noted increased private sector use for mental health care and weight-loss drugs.
David Hare, CEO of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, stated that private GP appointments are also rising.
"People's health and the health of their family is their number one priority and so it's not surprising that more people are willing to fund their own treatment,"Hare said, describing the use of private healthcare alongside NHS care as the "new normal."
'We know there's a long way to go'
Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the British Medical Association GP committee, observed a sharp increase in patients using private healthcare and then returning to NHS GPs for ongoing care.
She noted this trend adds to GPs' workload, as they must evaluate private results to determine eligibility for NHS care, contributing to a two-tier service.
"We believe urgent, nationally-funded action is needed to bring waiting lists down and to ensure all patients can access high quality care quickly, whether it's in the NHS or privately,"Bramall added.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman stated that improvements are underway, with waiting lists at their lowest level in nearly three years and progress being made on waiting times.
"We will end the unacceptable two-tier healthcare system we inherited that leaves patients feeling they have no choice but to go private.
Our extra investment and modernisation is beginning to turn the tide, but we know there's a long way to go,"she added.
