Patients said delays had made their illness worse, with 20% currently waiting for an appointment, test or treatment
One in eight adults in the UK have paid for private medical care in the last year because of long delays in getting NHS treatment, renewing fears that the NHS is becoming “a two-tier system”.
“Around one in eight (13%) adults reported they had paid for private medical care, with 5% using private insurance and 7% paying for the treatment themselves”, according to a new report by the Office for National Statistics.
Three-quarters said their delay has had either a strongly (34%) or slightly (42%) negative impact on their life
36% said waiting had made their condition worse
59% said it had damaged their wellbeing
A third said long waits had affected either their mobility (33%) or ability to exercise (34%)
