UK private medical insurance sign-ups near-record high amid NHS backlog

Number of Brits with private medical insurance soars amid NHS crisis

A total of 4.68 million people had private medical insurance by the end of 2023, up from 4.6 million in 2022, as delays in NHS care drive customers to go private

Waiting times to see a consultant - NHS vs private

Blog Waiting times to see a consultant – NHS vs private 7 February 2025 Estimated reading time: 5 minutes “Good things come to those who wait.” Or so proclaimed that famous Guinness advert from the late 1990s. But while Guinness drinkers were urged to wait for their perfect pint (119 seconds to be exact), should this be the case with people waiting for healthcare? This article looks at consultant waiting times privately and with the NHS, compar…

UK private medical insurance sign-ups near-record high amid NHS backlog

Nearly one in eight Britons now have medical insurance, a near-record high, as delays to NHS care drive customers to go private. The number of people with private medical insurance rose to a record high of 4.68M by the end of 2023, according to the latest figures from healthcare analysts LaingBuisson. But a total of 8M people in the UK can access private healthcare using insurance, as many policies also cover partners and children of the policyh…