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What are the main differences between private medicine and the NHS?Health insurance is used to pay for private medical care. Opting for this means that you can gain access to medical treatment instantly, avoiding lengthy hospital waiting lists. It also means a personalised, ‘one to one’ service rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach.You are able to choose your consultant or specialist, as well as the type of hospital, the location, and the date of your treatment. You are able to stay in a private room with en suite facilities, and experience a service which is very similar to that of a five star hotel. If you have any other related needs such as outpatient treatment, convalescence time or have been prescribed alternative or complementary medicines, then a health insurance policy can be used to cover the costs of these and many more. The NHS is a state owned healthcare system, which is paid for indirectly via taxation and National Insurance contributions, deducted from salaries and wages. It is free at the point of need and is available to everyone, irrespective of age, background or lifestyle. As a result of this, it has many demands placed upon it and with rising longevity, advances in medical science and an increasing population, is constantly trying to match these as well as public expectations. This can mean long waiting lists, staff shortages or over burdened staff, and less contact time between staff and patients. A stay in an NHS hospital can mean being placed on an open ward, sometimes a mixed sex ward, which is mainly due to a shortage of beds. Bathroom and toilet facilities are shared by all patients on a ward and nursing contact is a ratio of one staff member rather than a one to one approach. |
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