Soaring private healthcare use piling pressure on NHS GPs, survey finds

Soaring use of private healthcare for tests and treatments is piling pressure on overstretched GP surgeries, with family doctors warning that standard NHS care is being squeezed as a result. Record numbers of people are paying for private healthcare, with some having procedures such as cataract surgery and hip replacements, amid mounting frustration at NHS hospital waiting lists. Others are opting for private health checks, genetic testing or cosmetic surgery such as liposuction. But the surge in private healthcare use is increasing the workload of GPs, many of whom say they are increasingly having to interpret questionable health checks done privately, organise blood tests or scans and manage additional administration related to private care. Some say more of their hours are being taking up providing follow-up appointments after patients paid for treatment or surgery abroad. One GP said that “NHS general practice is being abused and subsidising lucrative private practice that is charging patients extortionate fees”. Another family doctor said having to deal with questionable medical requests for patients from private healthcare providers that “we don’t clinically agree with” was taking time and appointments away from standard NHS patients.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/oct/29/soaring-private-healthcare-use-pressure-nhs-gps

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