Growing Numbers Turn to Private Healthcare Amid NHS Wait Times
A patient watchdog has issued a stark warning about the escalating trend of individuals seeking private healthcare due to concerns over NHS waiting lists. Healthwatch England reports that the proportion of people paying for private medical services has increased significantly over the past two years, highlighting a shift towards a two-tier health system where those with financial means can avoid lengthy delays.
Survey Reveals Sharp Rise in Private Healthcare Access
The new Healthwatch England report, based on polling data, underscores changing public attitudes towards NHS care. Comparing responses from 1,758 people in September 2023 to a new poll of 2,593 adults at the end of last year, conducted by Savanta, the findings are striking. In 2023, 9% of respondents said they had accessed private healthcare in the previous year. By 2025, this figure had risen to 16%, indicating a near-doubling of private healthcare usage.
When asked about their reasons for opting for private care, 39% cited excessive NHS waiting times in 2025, up from 34% in 2023. Additionally, 30% noted that private healthcare was more convenient in 2025, a substantial increase from 14% in 2023. The report also found that individuals earning over £80,000 were more likely to have paid for private healthcare in the last year.
Low Confidence in NHS Services Fuels Shift
Healthwatch England attributes this shift towards private healthcare to persistently low confidence in NHS hospital services. Chris McCann, acting chief executive at Healthwatch England, commented: "The NHS 10-Year Plan aims to tackle long waits for elective care, however, this work needs to move faster if we want to boost patient confidence, stop the move towards two-tier healthcare, and restore the NHS as a truly universal service for all."
McCann emphasised the need for improved communication and service consistency, stating: "Everyone waiting for hospital care, no matter where they live or which hospital they were referred to, should get the same level of service and communication. This includes timely confirmation that their referral has been received and accepted – not lost in an administrative black hole – and information on managing their symptoms while they wait."
Patient Experiences Highlight Systemic Issues
Personal accounts from patients illustrate the challenges faced. Andrew Howe, a 67-year-old professional photographer from Leicestershire, was referred to a neurologist in August after experiencing symptoms including fatigue, weakness, and brain fog. He expressed frustration: "I've got a letter confirming that I'm on a waiting list, but when I ring them for an update, there's no word about when I might actually get an appointment. I'll be honest, it's scaring me to death. My symptoms are getting worse."
Similarly, Stephen Whitley, a 62-year-old from Skegness, is still waiting for an urgent appointment after seeking help in September for symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. He faced a nine-month wait for an urgent appointment, noting: "I think that because I'm waiting for my condition to be formally diagnosed, I'm stuck with a long wait. If I already had a diagnosis, I might be seen quicker, but now I'm worried that it could become more serious."
NHS Waiting Lists Show Modest Improvement
Despite these concerns, NHS figures indicate some progress. The waiting list for treatment in England has fallen for the third consecutive month, with an estimated 7.25 million treatments awaiting completion at the end of January, affecting 6.13 million patients. This represents a decrease from 7.29 million treatments and 6.17 million patients at the end of December, marking the lowest level since February 2023, when it stood at 7.22 million. The list peaked at a record high in September 2023, with 7.77 million treatments and 6.50 million patients.
Industry and Government Responses
David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, observed: "This latest research reflects the growing numbers of people from all across the country who are now accessing private healthcare services, either alongside or instead of NHS care, in what is becoming a 'new normal'. People's health and the health of their family is their number one priority and so it is not surprising that more people are willing to fund their own treatment."
An NHS England spokesperson highlighted achievements: "The NHS delivered record numbers of appointments, tests and scans in 2025, reducing the waiting list to its lowest level in three years and cutting 18-week waits to levels last seen in 2022. GP teams provide over a million appointments every working day, while expanded services like Pharmacy First are helping patients access care faster and more easily."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson added: "We will end the unacceptable, two-tier, healthcare system we inherited that leaves patients feeling they have no choice but to go private. We have made significant progress already: NHS waiting lists are at their lowest level in three years; A&E performance is the best in four years; GP satisfaction is on the rise; and we have delivered 1.8 million more dentist treatments. Our extra investment and modernisation is beginning to turn the tide, but we know there's a long way to go."
The report concludes that while the NHS is making strides in reducing waiting lists, the growing reliance on private healthcare signals a critical need for accelerated reforms to restore public confidence and ensure equitable access to care for all patients.
