Latest news with #PHIN
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Almost a million Brits have used private healthcare amid NHS delays, data shows
New data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) has shown that more UK patients than ever are turning to private healthcare to beat NHS delays Record numbers of Brits are choosing private healthcare over NHS waits, with fresh figures showing a shift due to NHS delays. The NHS waiting lists saw an uptick in March this year, and despite some feeling as if they're turning their backs on the cherished NHS, the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) reported that a staggering 939,000 people opted for private treatment last year, marking a 3% rise from 2023. Now, less patients are paying for it themselves via savings, loans or fund-raising. Instead, many are turning to private medical insurance as a means to cover their costs, with many companies offering private healthcare cover as employee incentives. PHIN's Chief Executive, Dr Ian Gargan, an advocate for transparent private healthcare costs, highlighted the inner conflict for some patients considering private options. There's a sense of unease and perceived disloyalty towards the National Health Service. He said: "The NHS is a very unique, amazing organisation. It's very much in the psyche and entrenched in individuals in this country, rightfully, that they're afforded free accessible healthcare because they pay their taxes." He added: "I think there's a real sense that people are reluctant to leave the NHS, they respect it and it's a shrine and they know that it's full of great people who work really hard. I've met a lot of patients who think if they go and access private healthcare, it's almost a betrayal of the NHS." London has emerged as one of the biggest hotspots for Brits turning to the private health sector. The East of England was the only region where the numbers dipped. In Scotland, there was a 6% increase up to 50,000 private hospital admissions in 2024. Wales saw the same 6% increase, with 32,000, and a 12% surge in Northern Ireland to 24,000. Procedures like colonoscopies and gastroscopies have seen a rise. Cataracts, hip and knee operations are popular with those aged over 50. However, younger generations are using it for blood tests and x-rays. Richard Wells, PHIN's Director of Information, said: "There is no doubt that the private sector continued to make a significant contribution to the UK's healthcare in 2024. "Every country saw record figures for several measures, including total admissions, insured admissions, and number of active consultants. And it was sustained growth; every quarter in 2024 had a record number of admissions compared to the equivalent period in previous years. "Private hospital admissions are also becoming more universal. People in their 50s remain the biggest users of private healthcare, but there was an increase in admissions for all age groups from 0 to 69. "With the recent news that NHS waiting lists have increased in March 2025, it's likely that PHIN will continue to report record levels of private hospital admissions."
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Patients turn to private healthcare as NHS cuts funding
Patients have turned to private healthcare as the NHS cuts finding to procedures for common conditions. Private operations such as cataract surgery went up by 39 per cent, hernia repair by 110 per cent and tonsillectomies by 105 per cent since the procedures were deemed 'of limited value' by the NHS, new figures reveal. Analysis of the latest data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) also revealed private admissions in England for breast reductions have increased by 61 per cent, and circumcision by 118 per cent. While carpal tunnel syndrome treatment was up 64 per cent and adenoid removals by 145 per cent, according to statistics. The numbers have risen since the introduction of a list of procedures NHS commissioners have been guided away from funding. The Evidence-based Intervention (EBI) list was created to reduce the number of medical or surgical interventions, which could be inappropriate for some patients in some circumstances – and to save the NHS money. Postcode lottery Jim Easton, of Practice Plus Group hospitals, which performed the analysis, said: 'It is correct that there are proper eligibility criteria to ensure that only those people who will benefit from surgery are offered it. 'In the last six years, however, through a combination of the Covid backlog, increasing financial pressures on the NHS, and the growing list of procedures they actively try to restrict, we have seen a marked increase in people in debilitating pain or discomfort who are perfect candidates for surgery but can't get the referral.' He said NHS bosses need to make sure the EBI programme 'is not drifting from one intended to benefit patients' to 'one that is more intent on cost-cutting'. 'More and more patients are voting with their feet and continuing to seek out these surgeries even if they have to pay for them,' he added before warning of a postcode lottery. 'The EBI list has also created a postcode lottery, for example, where in one area it has adopted the list in its entirety and someone would find it almost impossible to get the treatment they need, in another, the NHS commissioners have recognised their population needs and adapted the list. 'The knock-on effect in not offering these treatments is the gradual disappearance of specialists with enough experience in delivering them, or enough younger doctors trained to perform them.'
