In this newsletter, we take a closer look at the surge in the volume of people switching over to private healthcare from the NHS.
Additionally, we have new staff that we introduced to UKEM this month!
The Shift Towards Private Healthcare Amidst NHS Struggles
By now we are all very much aware the NHS is continuing to struggle due to staff shortages, underfunding and building pressure. However, we don’t often look at the patient’s response to the poorer quality of care. For the last few years, patients transferring over to private healthcare has been on a gradual rise and in recent months we have seen these numbers increase further.
In 2024, the private health sector anticipates a significant uptick with over 900,000 private admissions, propelled by the persistent strain on NHS services.
Broadstone, an independent consultancy, reports a notable surge, with 458,000 admissions covered by private medical insurance in the first three quarters of the year, marking an 11% increase compared to 2022.
Projections indicate that insured admissions are poised to exceed 610,000 for the entire fiscal year of 2023, setting a new annual record. In conjunction, self-pay admissions, wherein individuals finance their own treatment, saw a rise of 0.4%, totalling 207,000 admissions during the same period in 2023.
Broadstone predicts that if the current growth rate continues, the total private healthcare admissions could hit 917,000 in 2024, up from an expected 882,000 in 2023. Among these, 661,000 would be funded by private medical insurance.
Growing Demand From Businesses
The increase is fuelled by growing demand from businesses seeking private healthcare solutions for their employees, who have lost confidence in the NHS’s ability to safeguard their health. City businesses are increasingly offering private healthcare as an employee benefit to attract new staff, according to recruiters and insurers interviewed by City A.M.
This surge in demand is largely attributed to escalating waiting times within the NHS.
The strain on the NHS is evident from the long waiting lists, which the BBC reported had reached 7.58 million people in January. Additionally, the Resolution Foundation highlighted a concerning trend: the UK is experiencing the most sustained increase in long-term sickness since the 1990s, a trend that predates the pandemic. From July 2019 to December 2023, the number of people inactive due to ill health rose from 2.1 million to 2.7 million, peaking at 2.8 million last October.
Brett Hill, head of health and protection at Broadstone, emphasised the importance of a healthy workforce for business success, stating, “The crisis in the NHS means that employers are having to take matters into their own hands and invest in private healthcare solutions.” He noted the potential for one million private healthcare admissions annually, primarily driven by the rise in privately funded treatments.
In summary, the surge in private healthcare admissions reflects a shifting landscape in the industry, driven by dissatisfaction with NHS services. This trend highlights the growing demand for alternative healthcare solutions and underscores the impact on both individuals and businesses. At UK Expert Medical, we’re committed to addressing the consequences of this shift, advocating for patients affected by medical negligence amidst these changes.
New Staff Members
This month we introduced two new starters to UKEM!
Allow us to introduce Lucy and Emma, the newest file handlers in our Industrial Disease department here at UKEM.
As always, we wish our new starters the best of luck in their new role and we are looking forward to seeing them progress with us.
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UKEMs March Reviews
This month, we’re happy to share that UKEM has received more positive reviews. We remain deeply appreciative of all the feedback we receive!
