Private health insurance could ease strain on NHS

The National Health Service could be storing up a phenomenal £15 billion budget shortfall. The online private medical insurance provider Health-on-line have publicly suggested that private health insurance could help the NHS by giving some individual affordable private healthcare access.

Director of Health-on-Line Mike Dalby was reported in the news as commenting: Historically, the NHS was applauded for its effectiveness at dealing with emergency situations and treatment of individuals suffering from chronic conditions requiring long-term care and maintenance. In these areas the NHS has been known to deliver a health service that for years was envied in many parts of the world. However, it is when faced with the millions of individuals who require treatment for short-term, acute conditions that a negative impact may be felt throughout the service. Now with the rising costs of medical technology, the development of highly effective drugs and the numbers of people waiting for treatment, one has to consider what effects a reduction of the NHS budget has on its patients.

Dalby reportedly continued: Towards the end of 2008 and throughout the beginning of 2009 we have seen a continuous rise in the number of enquiries we receive from individuals looking to get Private Medical Insurance in place. We had previously identified that consumers felt waiting lists were too long and concerns about superbugs were driving them to look into alternatives. In light of the recent reports, we expect this trend to continue. Will concerns about whether the NHS can provide the necessary treatment become a key motivator for people enquiring about health insurance ? I think, inevitably, it will.