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During and in the aftermath of the pandemic and restrictions in the UK, there was a huge movement away from the NHS.
This was caused by a number of factors including the increased waiting times that ensued because of the pandemic.
Many people were not able to get life threatening surgery quickly enough because of the queues caused by the pandemic.
Although there has been a movement away from the NHS for a number of years, the pandemic quickened this dramatically.
More money and research is being put into the private sector allowing people to make the move more easily.
Here are some of the many reasons that many people in the UK are leaving the NHS.
Waiting Times
Current NHS waiting lines and times are the main reason why more and more people are turning away from the NHS in the UK.
NHS waiting times for all different types of needs have been growing exponentially, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and for many people this has become too much.
Even just to see a GP it can take up to two weeks in the UK and many people would prefer to see a private GP to be diagnosed and sort their problems out much faster.
Even if not to have all their treatment done privately, many are turning to private GPs or leaving the NHS to help with diagnostics so that they can understand the problem and expedite their treatment.
More Money and Research in Private Care
Moreover, another reason why we are seeing people turn away from the NHS in the UK is because private healthcare has access to more funding for their research.
There are many donors who are turning away from the NHS and are putting their money into private research.
Hugo Anglesford of Doddler commented: “With the cost of living on the increase, more doctors and medical professionals than ever are looking for ways in which to increase or supplement their regular income. The public health sector in the UK provides a stable source of income but the private sector’s financial incentives outstrip those of even the NHS.”
Unfortunately, the NHS is not being funded well enough in terms of research in the UK, meaning that they are falling behind the private sector.
There has been a noted increase in interest in private enquiries in areas such as orthopaedics, gynaecology and gastroenterology where the private sector research is being funded better than the NHS.
This means that people are turning away from the NHS because they know they can get better treatment elsewhere because, especially for acute illnesses and injuries, private research is better and well funded.
Reasonable Pricing In Private Sector
Another reason why many are turning away from the public sector and towards private healthcare is because private prices are becoming much more reasonable. Many working within the NHS are finding that their income is either irregular or insufficient and does not provide the financial incentive it may once have done.
Away from the NHS, private healthcare is beginning to show clearer and more reasonable pricing, allowing many more people to be attracted to them.
There is greater pricing transparency as well as the options to have payment plans, making it easier for people to make the switch.
Many people are beginning to be willing to spend a little bit of extra money to have a quick and professional service privately and are therefore leaving the NHS.