Demand for private medical treatment continues to surge despite the unstable economic situation. The...
Demand for private medical treatment continues to surge despite the unstable economic situation. The findings from a market review published by healthcare analysts, Laing & Buisson also showed that mental health is the fastest growing sector in the industry due to the NHS outsourcing acute psychiatric care.
William Laing, editor of the review, said: 'Independent hospital chains have experienced strong levels of demand in 2000/01, driven by private medical insurance claims from a growing insured population and a continued strong rise in the number of patients prepared to pay by cash or credit for private treatment.'
Revenues in private hospitals increased by 9% in 2000 with independent psychiatric hospital revenues up by 13%. According to Bill Poynton, chairman at the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries, this is due to increased awareness in the sector.
'Clients are becoming more aware of schemes to cover psychiatric claims such as stress,' he said.
