We are all proud of the NHS and what it means to have nationalized healthcare as a country, but we also know that it is far from perfect. A lot of us still decide to support the NHS and would never imagine going with a private doctor or insurance, however. If you are one of these people, this is very noble of you, but you still have a right to adequate treatment.

Unless you have been diagnosed with a serious illness that requires fast surgery and a long recovery, you don’t really know how good or bad NHS care is and what you might be missing. This is why you need to take the time to evaluate the benefits of getting private health insurance before you dismiss private care. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might want to consider private health insurance as a UK citizen.

More Choice

One of the biggest benefits of private care and private insurance is that you have more choice and control over treatment and providers. You will not be forced to deal with a physician just because they have been assigned to you, for instance. Dealing with a physician you don’t see eye to eye with can be very difficult as a patient, especially if your life depends on them. Ideally, you want someone who will be competent, but you also want the both of you to be on the same page. Things go much easier when you have a doctor who empathizes with you and is ready and willing to explain things in detail for you.

Going with an NHS facility will also limit the kind of treatment or medicine you will have access to. The NHS doesn’t necessarily pick treatments based on efficacy as they have to think about the budget as well. Treatments also have to go through more rounds before they can be dispensed to the public. Private clinics, on the other hand, will often be the first to provide cutting-edge treatments and medicine which may be much more efficient than anything you could get through the public system.

Better Service and Overall Experience

Stepping foot in your average private facility and an NHS-managed one is totally different. You will notice an instant difference in the way you’re treated and greeted from the minute you go through the doors. This is because these facilities see much fewer patients on average and workers have much better work conditions.

Not only that, but you will see a stark difference in the quality of the installations. Some NHS hospitals are in horrible condition, but since they are publicly funded, we still have to deal with them. Private clinics have to protect their brand and don’t have the luxury of having the support of the public, so they are obligated to offer a better standard of care.

Another benefit of private facilities is that you’ll be able to enjoy your recovery in tranquillity and privacy. Getting a single room in an NHS hospital is close to impossible and having to deal with constant noise and grievances from other patients and their families could put a strain on your morale. This isn’t something you’ll need to worry about with a good private facility.

Shorter Waiting Times

One of the biggest benefits of going private is that you won’t have to wait as long to get a procedure. This is why we would suggest that you get private health insurance right away if your family has a history of cancer, heart disease, or any condition that would warrant serious surgery.

People like the Circle Health Group, for instance, will be able to perform critical surgeries much faster than any NHS hospital. The Circle Health Group will be able to process and test you much faster too. And, if you’re worried about access for follow-ups, know that they have facilities all around the country, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find one near you. 

Extra Time

NHS doctors are under extreme pressure and have certain time limits to serve patients. This is to be expected with the hundreds of people they have to deal with every day and is often why they have to send nurses as liaisons. A physician at a private practice will have a lot more time for you and you’ll have much easier access to them too. This is extremely important as they will be able to reassure you or clarify things with you or someone in your family when needed. Having a more personal relationship with a physician will make things easier for you and will give you additional emotional support.

These are all reasons why you should consider opting for private health insurance if you haven’t already. Do not feel like you’re betraying the NHS and the country by doing so and consider how much easier your life would be instead.