Half of 18-34 year olds would go private due to long wait times for NHS treatment.
This is according to a survey of 2,000 people by Benenden Health which found that 51% of 18-34 year olds find private provision appealing and 50% would use private if NHS waitlists were too long.
The findings also showed 34% of 18-34 year olds believe the NHS can meet all their needs, compared with 22% of those aged 35–54 and 29% of those aged 55 and over.
Older adults, who are more likely to rely on the NHS first, were found to be less likely to explore private alternatives. Just 14% of over‑55s say they would prefer to use the private sector for their health needs, compared with 32% of younger adults.
Tom Woolgrove, CEO of Benenden Health, said: “Younger adults are redefining what they expect from healthcare in the UK. They continue to value the NHS deeply, but they’re also more open to complementing it with private options that offer speed, convenience and proactive support. This generation is signalling a shift towards a more blended model of care, where people feel empowered to choose the route that quickly and easily gets them help when they need it.
“As a not‑for‑profit healthcare mutual, we’re committed to meeting these changing expectations from young or old members alike. Our focus on accessible diagnostics, 24/7 GP access, mental health support and innovative digital tools reflect the needs of all generations who want healthcare that fits around their lives. We’ll continue to evolve our services to ensure we remain affordable, relevant and ready for the future.
“We strongly believe a blended private-NHS partnership model, leveraging the strengths of different healthcare providers, will best meet the needs of the UK population, and can materially improve current waiting list performance.”
