Concerns over the government’s health reform plans are promptingpeople to consider paying for private care, a survey suggests.
The survey by YouGov Are we an instant health generation? found concerns about cost,waiting times and access to healthcare are driving people to seek privatealternatives to the NHS.
Just over half believe that they will need to wait longer for treatmentthan ever before and 45% agree that government changes may mean that they aredenied treatment altogether by the NHS.
Concerns over the government’s health reform plans are prompting people to consider paying for private care, a survey suggests.
The survey by YouGov Are we an instant health generation? found concerns about cost, waiting times and access to healthcare are driving people to seek private alternatives to the NHS.
Just over half believe that they will need to wait longer for treatment than ever before and 45% agree that government changes may mean that they are denied treatment altogether by the NHS.
Fifty-nine percent of respondents said they would consider paying for private healthcare if it meant they were diagnosed quicker.
Dr Pixie McKenna, a resident doctor on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, found the survey results “staggering”.
“[The] report confirms my suspicion that members of the public have a genuine concern about how the NHS will care for them in the future,” she said.
“It is staggering that 45% believe they may be denied treatment at some point in the future, while over half feel they may need to wait longer for treatment.”
