Analysis has continued to show that there is a growth in the interest in private healthcare within the UK. 

This is not only true when it comes to elective surgical procedures, however, people are increasingly turning to private healthcare for things such as private GPs, diagnostics and expediting their treatment. 

This trend has continued throughout the pandemic and into the new year; this guide takes you through some of the reasons why the number of private GPs in the UK is rising and rising quickly.

NHS Waiting Times 

NHS waiting lines and times as always are the main reason why more and more people are turning to private GPs in the UK. 

NHS waiting times for all different types of needs have been growing exponentially in recent years and for many people this has become too much. 

Especially, during the pandemic, the waiting times in the NHS were exacerbated even further; even just to see a GP it can take up to two weeks in the UK and many people would prefer to see a private GP to be diagnosed and sort their problems out much faster. 

Even if not to have all their treatment done privately, many are turning to private GPs to help with diagnostics so that they can understand the problem and expedite their treatment. 

By knowing your problem you can turn to the NHS and cut your waiting times by not needing to go through the process of waiting for a GP appointment etc…

Clear and Reasonable Pricing 

However, it is not just waiting times as to why people are turning to private GPs and the number of private GPs is rising in the UK. 

Private GPs are beginning to show clearer and more reasonable pricing, allowing many more people to be attracted to them. 

Shmuel Davies, financial controller and co-founder of online finance platform Kallyss commented: “When it comes to any career, from medicine to accountancy, construction and property, one of the ultimate decision making factors for anyone is pricing and income. In the case of doctors and medical professionals in the UK, there have, in recent years, emerged more options than ever for them to step away from the public sector and move into a much more lucrative private sector, so this is no surprise unfortunately.”

There is greater pricing transparency as well as the options to have payment plans, making it easier for people to make the switch. 

Some private hospitals have harmonised their prices across the UK in all their hospitals and many are making information and prices more visible, giving patients greater confidence to invest in private healthcare. 

Many people are beginning to be willing to spend a little bit of extra money to have a quick and professional service at their private GP.

Restrictive Funding Criteria 

Moreover, another reason why we are seeing private GPs in the UK on the rise is because private healthcare has access to more funding for their research. 

Hugo Anglesford of Doddler.co.uk commented: “The UK has a young private healthcare sector and the provision of medicine in the UK is such that should you need access to the best doctors, you either have to navigate a huge public system, or find an alternative in the private sector. Both are viable options, but when it comes to the private sector, you can select your preferred doctor, whereas in the public system, you can’t pay for who you want. This can in some cases, entice doctors with good reputations and experience into the private sector.”

There has been a noted increase in interest in private enquiries in areas such as orthopaedics, gynaecology and gastroenterology where the private sector research is being funded better than the NHS. 

Rising Demand 

Lastly, private GPs in the UK are rising simply because the demand for them has begun to skyrocket. 

People who cannot even truly afford to go private are beginning to look towards private GPs because they feel as if they do not have any other choice.

Many are not willing to wait to have their operation, their check up or their test and are therefore looking to private GPs to help them overcome their issues.