Private Healthcare Rise Highlights Digital Opportunity for UK Community Care

More people in the UK are paying for private healthcare as confidence in timely NHS treatment remains low. The trend is fuelling concerns about a two-tier system, while also prompting renewed discussion about the role of digital health and community care technology in improving access.

Private Healthcare Rise Highlights Digital Opportunity for UK Community Care

A growing number of people across the UK are turning to private healthcare as confidence in timely access to NHS treatment remains low, according to new research commissioned by Healthwatch England.

The study, carried out by Savanta, surveyed 2,593 adults to understand how people are using both NHS and private healthcare services. The findings show a sharp increase in private care use over the past three years, raising concerns about the emergence of a two-tier healthcare system.

At the same time, the data highlights ongoing pressure on NHS capacity and the potential role of digital health and care technology in improving access to services within communities and in the home.

Private Care Use Nearly Doubles

According to the survey, 16% of people have used private healthcare services in the past year, including diagnostic tests and non-urgent procedures. This represents a significant increase from 9% in 2023, suggesting more patients are seeking alternatives to long NHS waiting times.

The main reason people cited for going private was the length of NHS waiting lists. Nearly four in ten respondents (39%) said delays were the main factor influencing their decision. By contrast, in 2023 the most common reason was the perception that private care offered higher quality treatment.

Other motivations included convenience, concerns about quality of care, and situations where patients were not eligible for certain procedures on the NHS.

Despite some improvement in waiting lists over the past year, demand continues to exceed capacity. At the end of January 2026, around 6.13 million people were waiting for planned treatment, with 2.7 million waiting longer than the NHS target of 18 weeks.

Confidence in NHS Access Remains Fragile

Public confidence in accessing NHS services within a reasonable timeframe remains relatively low.

Only 32% of respondents said they were confident they could receive outpatient hospital treatment quickly, a modest improvement from 28% in 2023. Confidence was even lower when people were asked about specific services such as non-urgent operations, diagnostic scans and mental health care.

Chris McCann, Acting Chief Executive at Healthwatch England, said the figures show how important it is for the NHS to reduce waiting times and improve communication with patients.

McCann said, “The NHS 10-Year Plan aims to tackle long waits for elective care. However, this work needs to move faster if we want to boost patient confidence, stop the move towards two-tier healthcare, and restore the NHS as a truly universal service for all.”

McCann added that improving communication with patients waiting for treatment is essential. People should receive confirmation that referrals have been received and regular updates while they remain on waiting lists.

Income Gap Highlights Access Inequality

The survey also highlights how income affects access to private treatment.

Only 10% of people earning under £20,000 reported using private care, compared with 35% of those earning £80,000 or more. This gap suggests that the growing reliance on private services could widen health inequalities if NHS access does not improve.

For local authorities and integrated care systems, the findings underline the importance of strengthening community-based services that remain accessible to everyone.

Digital health tools, remote consultations and better care coordination systems are increasingly being explored as ways to support this shift.

Digital Health May Help Address Care Delays

For organisations working across the UK care sector, the findings reinforce the importance of strengthening care pathways outside hospitals.

Digital health platforms are increasingly being used to manage referrals, support virtual consultations and provide remote monitoring. These tools can help reduce unnecessary hospital visits and improve communication with patients waiting for treatment.

Within community health services, care technology can also support earlier intervention, enabling clinicians to identify and manage conditions before they require more complex hospital care.

Technology suppliers are already working with NHS organisations and care providers to develop systems that improve waiting list management and patient communication. While digital tools alone cannot resolve workforce shortages or capacity constraints, they are increasingly seen as part of the solution.

A Critical Moment for the Future of Care Access

The rise in private healthcare use reflects broader challenges facing the UK health system, including rising demand, workforce pressures and an ageing population.

If waiting times remain high, more patients may feel compelled to seek private treatment where they can afford it. However, policymakers and care leaders argue that strengthening community health services and investing in digital care technology could help improve access while maintaining the NHS principle of universal care.

Improving communication with patients, expanding community-based care delivery and using digital health platforms to streamline services may all play an important role in restoring public confidence.

For the NHS and the wider care sector, the challenge will be ensuring innovation helps reduce inequality rather than reinforcing it.