| Far more people today are choosing to use private | | | | however have seemed to remain in the public |
| medical insurance rather than the National Health | | | | sphere, although as private institutions increase their |
| Service. This can be attributed to a number of | | | | abilities, even this type of surgery is starting to be |
| reasons but predominantly it is down to the large | | | | conducted privately. |
| waiting lists at many public hospitals for routine | | | | As has been discussed, private medical care does |
| operations and treatments; additionally however, | | | | have its benefits. Paying for this care however can |
| many want to utilise the benefits of private medical | | | | be expensive so what is the best way to pay for |
| institutions such as private rooms, al la carte menus | | | | treatments and surgery? Is it better to take out |
| and unlimited visiting hours. A recent report found | | | | insurance or simply pay for treatment on a one off |
| that around eight million people chose to take out | | | | basis? |
| private medical insurance policies last year. This | | | | Insurance will not always be more financially sensible. |
| though is not always a possibility, in some cases, | | | | If you are a certain stage in your life it is likely that |
| insurance will not be a viable option, meaning that if | | | | medical insurance will cost considerably more. This is |
| your want to undergo treatment privately, a self pay | | | | because as we get older it is usually the case that |
| scheme may be the alternative. Normally self pay | | | | more treatment will be required. In comparison, |
| refers to the payment of a surgery on a one off | | | | paying for one off treatments may work out |
| basis. | | | | cheaper if you are in good health generally. |
| Is there that much wrong with our national health | | | | As well as age, both personal and family medical |
| service however? Well fundamentally no, the | | | | history will be taken into account when starting an |
| majority of people are going private not because the | | | | insurance policy. Those with long term or chronic |
| healthcare is better, but generally because it is faster. | | | | conditions will find it almost impossible to obtain |
| An often cited example is that of the waiting lists for | | | | insurance and in these cases the self pay option is |
| hip replacements. Currently these are some of the | | | | also expensive. For chronic illnesses, patients should |
| longest waiting lists on the NHS and considering a | | | | be advised to utilise the National Health Service as it |
| new hip can be a life changing operation, waiting can | | | | will work out far cheaper. |
| be extremely debilitating. While you may have to pay | | | | Whether a patient chooses to use private or public |
| a premium, being treated privately will be considered | | | | services is entirely up to them. While the benefits of |
| by many to be a more worthwhile option. | | | | private medical care are clear, for many paying |
| Ultimately when deciding to go private, whether | | | | insurance premiums and even paying directly is simply |
| paying with insurance or a self pay scheme, it is | | | | out of the question. In a world where the NHS |
| about weighing up the debilitating effects of the | | | | continues to be bashed in the media, the service it |
| ailment against the waiting time. In most cases those | | | | offers to the public cannot be underestimated. |
| who choose to go private do so for routine surgical | | | | Private hospitals are becoming increasingly important |
| operations. As well as the previously stated hip | | | | though in reducing the time spent on waiting for |
| replacement, another common form of surgery | | | | surgery. As long as both work together, the |
| carried out in private medical care facilities is for | | | | healthcare in this country should continue to improve. |
| hernias. More important and urgent surgery needs | | | | |