Clean hospitals fuel medical insurance desire

Access to clean hospitals is the most common reason for UK residents to take out private medical insurance, according to new research.

Some 62 per cent of Britons state that they would take out private medical insurance to guarantee hygienic conditions, the Bupa study shows.

This compares with 30 per cent of respondents claiming that a private bedroom was the main factor in taking out private medical insurance.

Although more than one in ten Britons has private medical insurance, some respondents stated that affordability and happiness with the NHS were reasons they may not take it out.

Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald, medical director of Bupa Health Insurance, said, It's interesting that MRSA and cleanliness are still top of people's worries when it comes to taking out private medical insurance.

It's also encouraging to see that the things that matter to us, like faster access to specialists, good quality of services and effective medical treatments, are echoed.

Bupa is one of the UK's largest providers of private medical insurance and also offers health advice on its website.