Presentation to policy-makers

Public Opinion of Private Hospitals and Private Healthcare

Summary Findings: Government Leadership

H5, a new alliance of leading private hospital providers, commissioned a quantitative research project to assess public views of probate hospitals. This took the form of: Online survey of n=1007 UK residents (aged 18 or over), with a max. +/-3.1% margin of error Nationally representative sample with minimum quotas set by age, gender, region and working status and data weighted to the same

Background
People recognise that these are difficult economic times; there is massive government debt; and that government resources are stretched. People want good quality healthcare. They believe the NHS provides this, albeit with failings. But they are concerned about the future. People want choice. The public have no ideological objection to private healthcare and dont object to people using it if they can afford it. Private healthcare is an aspiration for the majority of people. They are put off by perceived high costs, not dogma.

Summary Findings: Personal Choice

The British people are proud of the NHS, but also supportive of a role for private hospitals in Britain's overall healthcare system NHS strengths are: access and availability for all; being equitable and free The NHS is trusted in an emergency and for important treatments people believe that it is better Generally peoples personal NHS experiences are good 28% trust the Conservatives to run the NHS (26% Labour; 9% Lib Dem)

People are supportive of the Coalition Governments early decisions To protect the NHS budget (74% think it should be protected from any cuts) To trust doctors with power over their funding (64% total agree) To look at a requirement for immigrants to take out private health insurance rather than access the NHS (64% total agree)

Summary Findings: Personal Choice

But the NHS is seen as too bureaucratic with long waiting lists. People are concerned about: NHS funding (26% see this as the most important health issue) Future challenges (16% see Obesity as the most important health issue; 12% cancer treatments) The main considerations when people are choosing their own treatment are quality of care, time it takes to see a doctor, and choice of treatments

As long as they receive the best available healthcare, the system does not matter
59% agree that the system does not matter, 29% disagree

Summary Findings: Private healthcare

People dont think that private healthcare and the NHS are in competition People believe GPs should encourage those who have private health insurance to use it
54% agree, 33% disagree

People believe that if you can afford private healthcare you should use it
53% agree, 30% disagree

They believe that going private frees up the NHS waiting list
63% agree, 24% disagree

Government leadership: Challenges facing the Coalition Government healthcare policies

People are divided on who they trust most to protect the NHS

Conservatives

28%

Labour

26%

Liberal Democrats

9%

Conservatives
UKIP 1%

Labour Liberal Democrats UKIP Green BNP SNP Plaid Cymru Other Don't know

Green

1%

BNP

1%

SNP

1%

Plaid Cymru

1%

Other

1%

Don't know

32%

Q4) Which party do you trust the most to protect the NHS? (BASE = 1007)

Lack of NHS funding is the most important health issue (prompted)

Lack of funds for the NHS 26%

Obesity

16%

Cleanliness of hospitals / super-bugs

13%

Cancer treatment

12%

Length of waiting lists

8%

Access to a doctor

7%

Prescription charges

5%

Mental health illnesses

5%

Availability of prescription medication

3%

Q3) What is the most important health issuesat the moment? (BASE=1007) Graph excludes dont knows

Lack of NHS funding is the most important health issue

Demand for healthcare is infinite, and no matter how much money the government spends people will still not be satisfied

It was right that the NHS budget was protected

Its a good thing that it was protected from cuts, but they still need to put more money towards nursing

So long as people receive the best available healthcare, the system does not matter

Somewhat Agree

33%

Strongly Agree

26%

TOTAL AGREE

59%

Somewhat Disagree

18%

Strongly Disagree

11%

TOTAL DISAGREE

29%

Don't know

12%

NET AGREE

30%

Q22) Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Is that strongly agree / disagree or somewhat agree / disagree? In the end, it does not matter if we have a tax payer funded health system or a private healthcare system, as long as people get the best available

So long as people receive the best available healthcare, the system does not matter

Everyone is entitled to decent care if they are sick.

We need to try something new because the current system isnt working.

I think the present system is exhausted.

Personal choice: People want a better healthcare system

People dont think private healthcare providers are in competition with the NHS

Somewhat Agree

28%

Strongly Agree

10%

TOTAL AGREE

38%

Somewhat Disagree

34%

Strongly Disagree

12%

TOTAL DISAGREE

46%

Don't know

16%

NET AGREE

-8%

Q22) Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Is that strongly agree / disagree or somewhat agree / disagree? Private healthcare providers and the NHS are in competition (BASE = 1007)

People think the NHS can learn from private healthcare providers

Somewhat Agree

39%

Strongly Agree

16%

TOTAL AGREE

55%

Somewhat Disagree

19%

Strongly Disagree

6%

TOTAL DISAGREE

25%

Don't know

19%

NET AGREE

30%

Q22) Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Is that strongly agree / disagree or somewhat agree / disagree? The NHS can learn from private healthcare providers(BASE = 1007)

People think the NHS can learn from private healthcare providers
I dont want to use the NHS because the NHS is just bureaucracy but the private sector is efficient.

We need to look at different models of funding the NHS that would allow the incorporation of private sector expertise.

There is so much waste in the NHS. If the private sector were run like this it would go bust.

Government should bring the two sectors together. The private health providers would bring the NHS up to scratch.

People believe that going private frees up the NHS waiting list
Somewhat Agree 45%

Strongly Agree

18%

TOTAL AGREE

63%

Somewhat Disagree

17%

Strongly Disagree

7%

TOTAL DISAGREE

24%

Don't know

13%

NET AGREE

39%

Q22) Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Is that strongly agree / disagree or somewhat agree / disagree? Everyone who goes private is freeing up a space on an NHS waiting list (BASE = 1007)

People going private frees up the NHS

The private health sector relieves the pressure on the NHS and that is a good thing. If people didnt go private they would flood the NHS so it reduces pressure that way. Its a good thing because it frees up NHS resources.

So more people believe Government should offer incentives to do so It would be very nice.
Government should provide incentives for people who look after themselves.

More people agree the government should offer incentives for people to go private

Somewhat Agree

34%

Strongly Agree

12%

TOTAL AGREE

46%

Somewhat Disagree

22%

Strongly Disagree

16%

TOTAL DISAGREE

38%

Don't know

15%

NET AGREE

8%

Q22) Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Is that strongly agree / disagree or somewhat agree / disagree? The Government should offer financial incentives to encourage people to take out private health insurance(BASE = 1007)

A majority believe GPs should encourage people to use their private health insurance

Somewhat Agree

35%

Strongly Agree

19%

TOTAL AGREE

54%

Somewhat Disagree

15%

Strongly Disagree

18%

TOTAL DISAGREE

33%

Don't know

13%

NET AGREE

21%

Q21) Please indicate how strongly you agree with the following statements I think GPs should encourage people to use their private health insurance if they have it(BASE = 1007)

GPs and going private: the publics view

I think GPs should encourage people to go private because it will take the burden off the NHS.

Its a backhander. If your GP refers you to a consultant then they get a cut.

Im not sure if it will relieve the burden on the NHS, but if it does, then great.

Its a matter of trust in your relationship with your GP.

Majority agree that private healthcare provides more options and choices of treatment

Somewhat Agree

32%

Strongly Agree

13%

TOTAL AGREE

45%

Somewhat Disagree

27%

Strongly Disagree

10%

TOTAL DISAGREE

37%

Don't know

18%

NET AGREE

8%

Q22) Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Is that strongly agree / disagree or somewhat agree / disagree? Private healthcare provides more options for treatment and having a choice is important to me (BASE = 1007)

Private healthcare: the public view

Private healthcare is considered quicker and cleaner, more modern and efficient

Treats people quickly

39%

NET PRIVATE HEALTH

Is clean

24%

Modern and well-run Treats me how I want, when I want Offers people a real choice Is only interested in providing certain treatments Is efficient Uses the latest procedures & treatments Provides high-quality patient care Has the best doctors and nurses Provides the best possible healthcare 4% 16%

24%

21%

14%

13%

10%

9%

1%

Q6: Im going to read a number of words and phrases that people have used to describe healthcare in the UK. I want you to tell me whether they better describe the NHS or private healthcare and private hospitals. Is that better / somewhat better / neither / dont know. (NET PRIVATE HEALTH =

People have private health insurance because they can see a doctor more easily, and get a wider choice of treatments

Time it takes to see a doctor or specialist

35%

Choice of treatments, doctors and remedies

35%

Quality of care

25%

Cost to me

19%

Treatment that fits around my life

17%

Seeing the same doctor

11%

Location

8%

Other

26%

Q19) Which of the following best describes why you have private health insurance? (BASE = 149)

Almost as many people would consider getting private treatment as using the NHS

Somewhat Agree

31%

Strongly Agree

10%

TOTAL AGREE

41%

Somewhat Disagree

27%

Strongly Disagree

22%

TOTAL DISAGREE

49%

Don't know

11%

NET AGREE

-8%

Q21) Please indicate how strongly you agree with the following statements I would consider getting private treatment rather than use the NHS (BASE = 1007)

38% would consider paying for private treatment from their income/savings
Somewhat Agree 30%

Strongly Agree

8%

TOTAL AGREE

38%

Somewhat Disagree

23%

Strongly Disagree

25%

TOTAL DISAGREE

48%

Don't know

14%

NET AGREE

-10%

Q21) Please indicate how strongly you agree with the following statements I would consider paying for private treatment from my income / savings if I needed it (BASE = 1007)

A majority believe that if someone can afford to, they should use private healthcare

Somewhat Agree

37%

Strongly Agree

16%

TOTAL AGREE

53%

Somewhat Disagree

22%

Strongly Disagree

8%

TOTAL DISAGREE

30%

Don't know

16%

NET AGREE

23%

Q22) Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Is that strongly agree / disagree or somewhat agree / disagree? More people should use private health care if they can afford to do so (BASE = 1007)

Most people have an aspiration to have private health insurance but think they cant afford it

Somewhat Agree

33%

Strongly Agree

21%

TOTAL AGREE

54%

Somewhat Disagree

19%

Strongly Disagree

13%

TOTAL DISAGREE

32%

Don't know

15%

NET AGREE

22%

Q22) Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Is that strongly agree / disagree or somewhat agree / disagree? If I could afford it, I would take out Private Health Insurance (PHI)(BASE = 1007)

In summary: Public opinion of private hospitals and private healthcare

Key findings
People recognise that these are difficult economic times; there is massive government debt; and that government resources are stretched. People want good quality healthcare. They believe the NHS provides this, albeit with failings. But they are concerned about the future. People want choice. The public have no ideological objection to private healthcare and dont object to people using it if they can afford it. Private healthcare is an aspiration for the majority of people. They are put off by perceived high costs, not dogma.