The number of people in Britain crowdfunding for private medical care has soared since the Covid-19 pandemic, as NHS waiting lists continue to reach record lengths. Figures from GoFundMe show an 84% increase in medical crowdfunders mentioning 'waits' or 'waiting lists' in March 2023 compared to January 2019, while campaigns containing 'go private' or 'privately' doubled.
The family of seven-year-old Myla Natalie Ray turned to crowdfunding after being told she would have to wait until the end of the year for brain surgery. After their campaign went viral, the NHS offered an earlier date. Others include Katie Bennett-Hogg, whose family sought private treatment for recurring sepsis due to long waiting lists, and Christina Johnston-Myachin, who waited months for gallbladder surgery while her singing career suffered.
The NHS waiting list in England reached a record 7.2 million people in March, with 2.6 million waiting over 18 weeks. Private Healthcare Information Network data shows self-pay private admissions rose from 50,000 to 66,000 between July and September 2022 compared to 2019. GoFundMe campaigns mentioning 'waiting list' spiked in April 2020 and remain above pre-pandemic levels.
Among 1,950 UK medical campaigns in the three months to February, 243 mentioned 'waits' or 'waiting lists' and 226 used 'private'. Harrow Borough FC launched a campaign for player James Taylor's knee surgery, warning a nine-to-12-month NHS wait could cost him two years of his career. Long waiting lists for transgender healthcare have also driven crowdfunding for gender-affirming surgeries, with 160 active campaigns found.
Separately, campaigns mentioning 'rent', 'bills' or 'debt' rose 53% since January 2019, with 437 active campaigns citing 'cost of living' and 847 mentioning 'rent' or 'bills'. An NHS ambulance care assistant struggled to cover expenses during a six-week pay gap, while others sought help for cancer patients unable to work. GoFundMe's John Coventry said: 'We are seeing more people than ever turning to GoFundMe as the NHS and cost of living crisis clash head-on.'
