Rising trend of elective cancelled operations plays to the case for private care backup

Statistics released by NHS England for the quarter ending June 2017 continue to show a long term growth in the number of patients not treated within 28 days of the cancellation by the NHS of an elective procedure. An elective procedure is one that is planned in advance, usually after detailed medical consultation, rather than one that is carried out in an emergency.

Although the number of patients not treated within 28 days of a cancellation was down from 8.4% over the same period last year to 7.2% this year, since 2008- 2009, the figure has been steadily rising from a low of just over 2% at that time.

Head of Sales and Marketing at National Friendly, Wayne Carter, comments: “Since the sanctions regime, which punishes NHS trusts for missing their 18 week wait time target, has been largely rolled back, we have seen sustained increases in waiting times being reported and now we are seeing a negative trend in the area of cancelled operations too.

Fines levied on Trusts for missing targets in A&E, cancer and routine operations have been scrapped altogether and whilst it makes sense for a cash-strapped NHS to avoid such additions to its already overspent budget, this has removed a significant management control tool, according to organisations such as the NHS Partners Network.”

With winter approaching, which traditionally adds significant strain to the NHS,  organisations such as Bristol based National Friendly, has seen interest in its range of private health cover plans grow. The insurer’s Optimum range of policies offer both in-patient and day patient cover, with fast access to a range of private hospital treatments and operations and cover up to £250,000 each policy year.

Optimum also offers an Out-patient Plan, providing prompt access to private GPs and specialist consultants for a fast diagnosis, as well as a range of selected out-patient treatments including carpal tunnel decompression and joint injections.  National Friendly’s Optimum is completely unique in the market in that it gives consumers the choice between an Out-patient Plan and In-Day-patient Plan, or they can have both together at a discounted price.

National Friendly’s Carter believes it is inevitable that as waiting lists grow, so more people who can will want to pay for private treatment to avoid growing waiting times, especially if those treatments can solve a disabling conditions such as a damaged hip or knee.

Details of the new insurance plan are available on the National Friendly website at https://nationalfriendly.co.uk/optimum

Media enquiries

For further information on National Friendly, please contact:

Guy Stephenson/Erica Evans

Nacelle Limited

Tel:  +44 (0)20 8333 9125

About National Friendly

Based in Bristol, National Friendly is a mutual organisation which is solely owned by its members.

Established in 1868, it has no shareholders and exists to serve the best interests of its 35,000 (as at September 2017) members. 

National Friendly is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Its vision is to be a forward-thinking and trusted mutual that meets the health, welfare and protection needs of its customers, through a portfolio of innovative insurance products.

 For more information please visit www.nationalfriendly.co.uk

Data Sources

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/04/NHS-cancelled-elective-operations-commentary-Q1-2017-18-45223.pdf

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36854557

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/09/patients-face-longer-wait-as-nhs-drops-fines-for-missed-targets/