Data from The Exeter's Consumer Health and Finance Tracker found that a third of UK adults (33%) are unsure if the NHS could fully meet their needs if they became ill. Adults aged 45 to 54 are the least confident, with 44% expressing uncertainty about whether they would be able to access sufficient care.
This comes at a time when the NHS continues to manage significant demand, with many people exploring a range of options to access the care they need. The data also reveals that 43% of UK adults accessed at least one private healthcare service in the last six months, with nearly half (49%) expecting waiting times to increase over the next six months.
Consumers turning to credit to cover private care costs
Dental services accounted for the largest share of private healthcare use at 20%, followed by mental health support (10%) and private GP consultations (10%).
While a quarter of private healthcare users (24%) were able to use an insurance product to fund their treatment, almost one in five (19%) turned to credit cards or personal loans – highlighting that many are relying on borrowing to access private healthcare. Men are also more likely than women to have used a credit card or personal loan to cover the cost of private healthcare (23% vs 15%).
Changing behaviours across age groups and genders
The Tracker found that men have used private healthcare more in the last six months (46% of males vs 40% of females), despite feeling more assured than women the NHS would meet their needs if they fell ill (72% vs 62%).
When it comes to age groups, younger adults are far more likely to have used private healthcare in the last six months, with 60% of 18 to 34-year-olds using private healthcare compared to just 25% of those aged 55 and over. Mental health services in particular show a clear generational divide, with 17% of 25 to 34-year-olds accessing support compared to just 3% of those aged 55 and over.
Dawn Prescott, Head of Healthcare Proposition at The Exeter, said: "These findings highlight that many people are thinking carefully about how they would access care if needed, particularly within a system managing high levels of demand. With a third of UK adults uncertain about how quickly or easily they would be able to access care, this suggests that many people are considering their options.
“The fact that nearly one in five are funding private treatment through credit or a loan suggests that for many, that concern is already translating into action without the right financial foundation in place. Raising awareness of what healthcare insurance policies can provide can help people take a more planned approach. As views on NHS provision remain mixed, helping ensure people have access to appropriate cover before a health need arises can support better preparation for the future."
Sean Kennedy, Director at Usay Compare, said: “These findings strongly reflect what we see at Usay Compare every day. Many customers come to us after experiencing delays in accessing NHS care, and often after they’ve already started paying for treatment themselves.
What frequently surprises them is that private medical insurance can be more affordable than they expected, particularly when compared with the cost of self-funding care. One of the most common things we hear is ‘I wish I’d looked into this sooner’. Having cover in place before a health issue arises not only provides peace of mind but helps people avoid difficult financial decisions when they need care most.”
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