High demand for private care
Latest figures for private medical activity have brought some encouraging signs for the independent healthcare market.
Dr Ian Gargan, chief executive of the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), said: ‘The total number of private discharges in quarter 3 (July to September) 2022 was above pre-pandemic levels, showing there’s a high demand for private healthcare.’
Self-pay levels have dropped off slightly while private medical insurance work has increased, but he reported that even with slight reductions over the past three quarters, the self-pay levels were well above those before the pandemic.
‘Many people continue to choose to pay to have procedures – particularly cataract, hip replacement or knee replacement surgery – done privately rather than waiting for treatment on the NHS.’
Market activity
* Figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000. The total may not add as this is calculated using the actual figure then rounded