The public is supportive of private healthcare but the sector needs to do more to raise awareness of what it can offer, a new survey from Benenden Health has found.
Almost three quarters (74%) of respondents said they trusted private healthcare, while 80% said private healthcare providers cut waiting times.
However, 74% of respondents also thought private health was unaffordable, while 69% said it was exclusive. The same proportion said it came with strict terms and conditions and 58% thought of private healthcare in terms of treatment rather than something that can be used to proactively improve their health.
Benenden Health CEO Bob Andrews said: ‘It’s great to see such positive public sentiment towards private health, especially at a time when our NHS needs supportive structures to alleviate pressures in primary care and diagnostics.
‘What still needs to be addressed are the misconceptions we found in this research, including beliefs that private healthcare is unaffordable, exclusive, and restrictive. Whilst this may be the case with some providers, we know for a fact – especially in Benenden Health’s case – that is not true, and these are just myths. I am concerned that many could be missing out on a proper consideration of whether private healthcare could meet their needs.’
Benenden reported a surge in requests from its membership in 2023, with a 12.5% increase in use of its GP Helpline service and a 61% year-on-year increase in requests for diagnostics.
As 86% of survey respondents said they were concerned about NHS waiting times, Andrews said there needed to be more positive conversations around the idea of a hybrid healthcare system.
‘This is not for the benefit of private health companies, but for the benefit of UK citizens and the sustainability of the NHS system itself,’ he added.
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