Private Healthcare vs. the NHS: Which Should You Choose?

Comparing private healthcare with the NHS: factors to consider

When deciding which is the safer choice in the private healthcare vs. the NHS debate, there are a few factors to be considered. In this blog post, we’re going to review a number of issues, including waiting times, treatments, cost and comfort, to decide which is best. 

If you’d like to find out more about what’s on offer through private healthcare, make sure to give our team a call now on 01242 575 466. 

Unfortunately, the NHS is experiencing backlogs and failures across the board. Data released by NHS England and published by the British Medical Association indicates that just between August and September of 2024, the number of people in England waiting more than 12 hours for emergency care rose from roughly 28,500 to approximately 38,900. GPs are even struggling to make referrals to specialists, and in November of 2021, 401,115 referrals to secondary care were unsuccessful due to a lack of service availability. This was an 87% rise compared to February 2020. The average wait time for treatment on the NHS is 14.6 weeks, which has nearly doubled from pre-pandemic figures. 

By contrast, the average wait time for treatment under private healthcare is around three to four weeks. This staggering difference is one of the major benefits of private healthcare. Thanks to smaller patient numbers and greater resources, treatment can be administered in just a fraction of the time that it would take on the NHS.

Treatments and medications of all kinds are strictly governed by NHS guidelines, meaning that, while some advanced treatments are available, the waiting times are often long. New treatment methods and medications can also be delayed by the bureaucracy of such a large organisation. 

However, private healthcare providers are able to work faster, and not only will you get accelerated access to the best available treatments and medications, but you’ll also be entitled to receive newer, potentially life-saving treatments sooner.

Cost of private healthcare vs the NHS

The NHS is funded primarily (99%) by general taxation and National Insurance contributions, with the remaining 1% generated through charges for services like prescriptions and dental treatment. This means that the services are free at the point of usage. However, funding for the NHS varies over time as different governments come and go, and with recent governments since 2008 having invested historically low amounts, the service has begun to struggle. 

Private healthcare does involve additional costs but can be paid for in one of two ways: 

• Private health insurance – health insurance is a way of spreading the cost of your healthcare, where you pay set monthly amounts towards the cost of your policy, covering the price of any treatments you need. 
• Self-pay private health treatment – this option involves you paying the cost of your healthcare entirely out of your own pocket, which frees you from monthly bills but can leave you with a hefty bill if you require care.
  

NHS care is designed to be as functional and efficient as possible, to ensure that it can provide health services to the greatest number of people. Sometimes, this can lead to dips in the quality of the care you receive as well as the comfort of your experience. 

Because private healthcare providers have greater resources at their disposal, you’ll be able to enjoy a much higher quality of care as well as a more comfortable environment. For example, treatment in a private hospital usually entails your own room, more attentive staff and better food, to name just a few benefits.

So, is private healthcare better than the NHS? In most cases, yes, and with tailored health insurance, it might even be more affordable than you think. 

At The Private Healthcare Company, we specialise in finding customers like you the perfect cover to suit their needs at an affordable price. We can help you compare and switch providers, ensuring you don’t have to wait for treatment and can access all the services you need, when you need them. 

Get your free quote today by clicking here! If you’d like to learn more, just call 01242 575 466 now to speak to a member of our friendly team.