Being able to access high-quality healthcare at the times you need it most is vital. Regardless of whether this is a simple check-up, a medical review or complex surgery, having a suitable healthcare package designed according to your medical needs will be beneficial in the long run.
The NHS has recently come under significant strain. Factors such as an increase in the number of patients, reduced funding and increased life expectancy have led to long waiting times and limited treatments.
As a result, more individuals are now seeking private healthcare which, while it may be more expensive, offers faster and more effective treatment. Here we’ll discuss some of the main benefits of private healthcare and why it is becoming the ideal choice for healthcare in 2023.
Reduced waiting times
One of the main issues faced by the NHS is waiting times, with some patients being made to wait up to a year for routine hospital care. Currently, ambulance services and A&E units are under unprecedented pressure and it is estimated that hundreds of deaths each week are associated with admission delays.
Understaffing has been a chronic issue in recent years in the NHS and is a major threat to the welfare of patients. This has been one of the major concerns that has led to nurses and ambulance staff taking strike action. As nurses and hospital workers are put under higher strain, they are more likely to make mistakes, which could well lead to patients coming into harm and making a claim.
Opting for private healthcare guarantees that you are able to access your appointments, surgeries and treatments much quicker, with some flexibility offered to align with your lifestyle. The capacity to bypass the painfully long waiting times ensures you receive the necessary medical attention much sooner and could prevent the emergence of other health complications.
Private hospital access
If you are required to attend hospital for treatment or surgery, you’ll likely need to take time after to recover. Being stuck in the hospital for long durations can be unpleasant, particularly if you are kept in a busy room that makes it impossible to rest as needed.
Staying in a private room makes this experience that bit more comfortable, providing some privacy and additional space to help speed up the recovery process. With the demand for hospital beds now higher than it ever has been before, the promise of a private space for both you and your family is particularly appealing.
Specialised medication and treatments
Whilst the NHS already offers a huge array of prescriptions and treatments, it doesn’t cover everything. Private healthcare can provide you with access to specialised medication that isn’t usually available through the NHS.
The majority of the time, certain treatments aren’t available due to budgetary restrictions, meaning the NHS can’t afford to invest in every new drug that is made available to the market – irrespective of how effective they can be.
Additionally, if you are already paying for private treatments, such as physiotherapy or psychotherapy, private healthcare could actually reduce these costs.
