Conclusions

This research has helped us to build upon our understanding of what people think about private healthcare.

The findings underline the conclusions we drew in 2023 – that they are a clear illustration of how access to timely care is important, particularly given the current challenges facing the NHS.

It is also clear that affordability remains the biggest barrier to people accessing the system, although a lack of awareness and absence of information is still present. There could therefore be an opportunity to empower patients by giving them much better information about the costs of private healthcare and how to navigate the system – although there are some early indicators that awareness of private healthcare is increasing, compared to last year.

It remains notable that despite a perception of the private sector being ‘unpopular’, people in fact feel positive about private healthcare – particularly if they’ve actually used it. This is also illustrated by the large numbers of people who highlight the quality of care as one of the things they most like about it.

The research also reinforces last year’s conclusions that there has been a generational shift in attitudes towards private healthcare, manifesting itself in terms of general support, tendency or willingness to use, or having already used private healthcare. This has potentially key implications for the long-term future of the sector.