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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Surge in private medical procedures as NHS cuts back on common surgeries
Operations such as cataract surgery went up by 39%, hernia repair by 110% and tonsillectomies by 105% - with procedures like these deemed 'of limited value' by the NHS. New statistics indicate a significant surge in private medical procedures for common ailments as the NHS scales back or ceases funding for certain surgeries, showing an uptick in operations viewed by the NHS as 'of limited value'. The number of private surgeries like cataract procedures witnessed a 39% rise, while hernia repairs have risen by 110% and tonsillectomies increased by 105%. According to data, analysed from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), England has seen a 61% increase in breast reduction admissions and circumcisions reaching a 118% hike. Furthermore, treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome jumped by 64%, while adenoidectomies soared by 145%. These increases come in the wake of new guidelines seeking to steer NHS commissioners away from these types of surgeries. 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. Jim Easton, from Practice Plus Group hospitals which conducted the analysis, remarked: "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." Graeme Wakerley, 71, a retired haematologist who worked for many years in the NHS, was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia in 2023 but was unable to access surgery via them, so he chose to pay for Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group. Sharing his experience, he said: "A scan showed that the hernia wasn't strangulated which meant it wasn't considered dangerous and I would not be able to get surgery to fix it. "The GP explained that unless it's strangulated, you're in severe pain or mental anguish, there was no point in applying for funding as I wouldn't get surgery. Even when you do get on the list meaning it's serious and you're in severe pain, there would be a two-year wait for hernia surgery. So, I had no choice but to pay." Graeme said he has heard of many other people in similar situations and said GPs are advising people to go private for surgery because there are so many restrictions on funding. Jim says it's important the NHS ensures the EBI programme does not drift away from one intended to benefit patients. He cautions that the EBI has also created a 'postcode lottery' as different areas might adopt the list entirely while others will adapt it. Moreover, he said: "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."
Daily Mirror
4 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."
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Private ops for common conditions are rocketing due to NHS restrictions, new figures reveal
Graeme Wakerley, a retired haematologist, was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and had no choice but to pay for surgery NOT WAITING AROUND Private ops for common conditions are rocketing due to NHS restrictions, new figures reveal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRIVATE medical procedures for common conditions are rocketing as the NHS restricts access or stops funding them altogether, new figures reveal. Operations such as cataract surgery went up by 39 per cent, hernia repair by 110 per cent and tonsillectomies by 105 per cent - with procedures like these deemed 'of limited value' by the NHS. 1 Private hernia repairs have gone up 110 per cent Credit: Getty 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 (64 per cent), and adenoid removals (145 per cent) are all on the increase, according to statistics. The numbers have risen since the introduction of a list of procedures aimed at guiding NHS commissioners away from funding these treatments. 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. 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. "The NHS needs to take care to ensure the EBI programme is not drifting from one intended to benefit patients and reduce unnecessary interventions 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. "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." NHS wait lists rise again Graeme Wakerley, 71, a retired haematologist who worked for many years in the NHS, was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia in 2023 but was unable to access surgery via them, so he chose to pay for Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group. He said: "A scan showed that the hernia wasn't strangulated which meant it wasn't considered dangerous and I would not be able to get surgery to fix it. "The GP explained that unless it's strangulated, you're in severe pain or mental anguish, there was no point in applying for funding as I wouldn't get surgery. "Even when you do get on the list meaning it's serious and you're in severe pain, there would be a two-year wait for hernia surgery." "So, I had no choice but to pay. I have heard of many other people in similar situations. GPs are having to advise people to go private for surgery because there are so many restrictions on funding."
