Households pay GBP1200 on private healthcare

Thu, 06 Mar 2008

UK families are spending on average £1,200 per year on private health insurance, according to a new study.

The majority of private healthcare is spent on long-term care for the elderly and physically disabled people, on average £471 a year on nursing homes and home care.

The rest of the money goes on private medical products, (£268), hospital care (£217) and dental care (£93).

The study by think tank Reform said that this is a clear indication that the NHS is not free at the point of use.

Andew Haldenby, director of Reform said, "The idea is a mirage, even a charade, which is preventing proper debate about the future of healthcare in this country."

He added that the British public are obviously taking care of their health by taking out such policies and that the government needs to help people fund their healthcare.

A spokesperson for the DH said, "We will never change the values of the NHS - universal, tax-funded, free at the point of need. Nobody should have to pay for any available NHS service, but patients have always had the choice of paying for private healthcare if they so wish."
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