More people choosing private healthcare

According to a recent report there are now more people opting for private healthcare over the National Health Service, with an increasing number of people showing distrust of the NHS due to a range of factors. The number of people with private healthcare has been declining over recent years but is now on the rise according to the Association of British Insurers.

Around six million people are now covered by private healthcare, and according to officials from the private healthcare provider BUPA one of the reasons given by customers who have gone private is the risk of contracting super bugs such as MRSA whilst in an NHS hospital.

One industry official stated: ‘The whole issue of cleanliness has shot up the agenda. People don’t want to be treated in the sort of hospital where you have to keep on your slippers every time you pop to the bathroom.’ Another official said: ‘The NHS doesn’t provide everything people want. We see less sitting on the fence and more people coming to try private health cover.’

A consumer who decided to go private said: ‘On our recent visits, hospitals have seemed overstretched and sometimes short of staff. I have lived in Oman and so I am used to the private system. Everything happens when you want it and the hospitals are all so clean.’