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Workforce shortages, a lack of funding, and backlogs in treatment have placed the NHS under significant strain in recent years.
As a result, statistics from the Private Healthcare Information Network show that more and more people are considering private surgery. And they aren’t just doing this by taking out health insurance either. Paying for the operation themselves (often called ‘self-pay’) is becoming an increasingly popular option.
In 2022, 272,000 patients paid for their hospital treatment, a 27% rise on pre-pandemic numbers. Self-pay is particularly popular amongst people who need a hip or knee replacement (usually due to arthritis), cataract surgery, and surgery procedures with long NHS waiting lists.
From shorter waiting times, appointments that fit around you and high quality care, there are several reasons people choose private surgery. And while, for many people, cost remains a primary concern, a number of private healthcare providers offer flexible finance options too.
With this in mind, we’ve partnered with Practice Plus Group – one of the UK’s largest independent providers of NHS and private healthcare – to explore five benefits of choosing private surgery.
1. Waiting times for private surgery are shorter
If you’re in pain and know you need an operation, one of the first questions you might ask is how long you’ll have to wait.
While the NHS aims to book in all patients requiring non-urgent procedures within 18 weeks, waiting lists are often much longer. In some areas of the UK, wait times are well over 12 months.
In contrast, private hospitals have much shorter waiting times. Not only is this more convenient, but it can be particularly important if you’re in pain or your lifestyle is being restricted due to your current health situation. Generally speaking, every stage of treatment, from diagnosis to aftercare, is much quicker in the private sector, which allows people to get their life back on track sooner.
Practice Plus Group’s team of specialist consultants are committed to completing each surgery within four to six weeks of an initial consultation. While waiting times vary depending on the type of surgery you need, six weeks is the maximum amount of time you can expect to wait.
As a group of specialist hospitals focused on a small range of ‘elective’ or planned procedures, Practice Plus Group plans all their operations in advance. This means you can rest assured that your operation will go ahead as planned, without the chance of sudden cancellations due to a more urgent case.
You can find a waiting time guide for different surgeries on the Practice Plus Group website.
2. Private care facilities can be more modern, personalised, and comfortable
All healthcare professionals are bound by the same strict regulations and safety standards, but the overall experience of private surgery and treatment can often contribute towards a feeling that you’re receiving higher quality care.
As private hospitals tend to be smaller and focus on planned procedures, they’re often quieter and offer a more personalised experience. Many are also more modern and comfortable, with hotel-like amenities.
Practice Plus Group prides itself on delivering high-quality care centered around patients. All 10 of their hospitals and surgical centres around the country have been rated as either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator for health and social care in England – so you can be confident that you’ll be well looked after.
Following a knee replacement with Practice Plus Group in Plymouth, Truadi Burgess says, “I found the facilities, quality of care, and staff exceptional – they all made me feel welcome and the treatment was more than I could’ve wished for.”
You can read more patient stories on the Practice Plus Group website.
3. Private surgery may offer greater access to specialist treatment and improve choice around location and consultant
Practice Plus Group allows you to filter consultants by location, language, and the type of surgery offered. Each consultant has their own profile with a biography and list of qualifications.
In line with this, choosing private surgery may also offer patients access to a wider range of treatment options which may not be available on the NHS.
For example, those requiring knee surgery are likely to only be offered one procedure option on the NHS. On the other hand, private hospitals usually have a range of different procedure, technique, and prosthesis options available, allowing you to choose the surgery most suited to your needs.
When it comes to non-urgent operations your GP refers you for, NHS patients in England have a legal right to choose where they have the procedure done. However, despite this, recent research revealed that over 60% of people don’t recall being offered a choice.
NHS patients are also able to request particular consultants, although this isn’t guaranteed. People based in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland don’t have the legal right to choose their provider under the NHS.
As a result, receiving surgery privately offers many people a greater level of choice around their treatment – and, in many cases, with greater ease as well. You can filter through Practice Plus Group’s hospitals and surgical centre locations on their website to find the right one for you. You’ll find location-specific information on treatment prices, waiting times, and consultants.
4. Private surgery aftercare may be more thorough and personalised
Post-operative care refers to the care and support that patients receive following surgery.
Private surgery aftercare can often be more tailored and personalised to you according to what activity it is you want to get back to, such as cycling, walking, or horse-riding. It may come with an additional level of comfort and convenience – as well as easier access to support and advice from consultants.
Many private hospitals have their own team of nurses and physiotherapists who have both the time and capacity to support you long after you’ve left the hospital.
For example, Practice Plus Group’s private healthcare team is committed to delivering first-class care and are there to support patients at every stage of their journey. This includes helping people adjust to normal life after surgery, offering reassurance, and answering any questions they may have.
David Evans, who underwent knee surgery with Practice Plus Group at Shepton Mallet, says, “The aftercare quality has been excellent. A nurse called me the day after I got home to make sure I was okay and didn’t need anything, and the physio staff have made sure I’m recovering well. Everyone is 110% dedicated to caring for the patient and making sure you recover as fast as possible.”
5. Many private healthcare providers offer flexible finance options
For most people, the biggest downside of private surgery is cost. However, it’s worth remembering that prices will vary depending on the hospital you choose and the type of treatment you need.
Practice Plus Group has consistent prices per procedure regardless of where you live or which consultant you have- and everything you need is included. Plus, according to recent reports and analysis, Practice Plus Group’s fixed treatment prices are up to 30% less expensive than those of its closest competitors – including Nuffield Health, Spire, and Circle Health. You can find a list of guide prices for different types of surgery on the Practice Plus Group website.
Practice Plus Group patients can use both self-pay or private medical insurance to access treatment. And flexible finance options are offered to help spread the cost of treatment. This includes the option to finance care over 12 months with 0% interest. To find out more about funding options, including eligibility, head over to the Practice Plus Group website.
Final thoughts…
From shorter waiting times to personalised, specialist care, there are several benefits of choosing private surgery.
While cost remains a primary concern for many of us, more affordable options like Practice Plus Group, and flexible finance options, mean that you may end up paying less than you expected.
To find out more about accessing private surgery through Practice Plus Group, head over to their website.
What are your experiences of private surgery? Do you have any thoughts that you’d like to add? We’d be interested in hearing from you in the comments below.