There was a significant surge in the volume of cancer care delivered by private hospitals and healthcare providers during the national lockdown in March and April, figures published this week reveal.
Medical oncology accounted for almost half (49%) of all private treatment in the UK during April, as the country’s healthcare systems adjusted to life under the pandemic.
However, the figures, from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), show that as the first wave of the pandemic passed, activity across other specialties rose, returning to a similar picture to before the crisis.
PHIN’s annual report also reveals that while the first two months of 2020 saw a “modest” estimated increase on 2019 private activity of 3% and 4% respectively, with the national lockdown from mid-March, private admissions across the UK fell “dramatically”. By May the total private healthcare market was 87% down on activity in 2019, with less than 10,000 admissions.
However, by September, private activity had recovered and PHIN estimates it was only 13% down on 2019. Anecdotal evidence suggests that private activity had largely recovered by the time we entered second lockdown in November 2020.
Other findings in PHIN’s report include the latest estimates of difference in the cost of accessing self-care both in London and outside of the capital.
Patients accessing self-pay care in London pay a small premium for initial consultations, PHIN’s figures, show, on average paying £250 compared to between £175 and £200 outside of London.
Meanwhile, the annual report also includes information on so-called “Never Events’ – in other words entirely avoidable, serious mistakes and incidents – that take place in hospitals.
In the private sector, ‘Wrong implant or prosthesis’ was the most common Never Event reported during 2019, with 11 incidents throughout the year.
The full report can be downloaded here.