PHIN estimates 84% drop in private healthcare

During pandemic

Adam Saville
clock • 1 min read

UK data shows how Covid-19 has led to an estimated 84% drop in privately funded care

Following a slight rise in the estimated number of overall privately funded episodes of care of 3% in January 2020 and 4% in February 2020 respectively, March data shows an estimated drop of 30% compared with 2019, and an estimated 84% drop between April 2019 and April 2020, according to data from the Private Health Information Network (PHIN).

2020 estimated count of private episodes

There has also been a change in the type of private treatments delivered during the pandemic, with medical oncology becoming the largest single specialty performed (an estimated 63% of all privately funded admissions in May).

Private activity by specialty as discharged and % total discharges

PHIN said the findings are based on its national private healthcare dataset, and look at how the nature of privately funded care changed as the country went into lockdown and independent hospitals and NHS Private Patient Units diverted their resources to support the NHS.

Dr Jon Fistein, PHIN's chief medical officer, said: "While the impact on privately funded care is still emerging, with some the underlying data still incomplete, we can start to picture of the impact Covid-19 has had on the private healthcare market in the UK.

"As hospitals have diverted their resources to support the NHS effort, private care took a back seat. It is reassuring to see that urgent care - such as medical oncology - has continued to be provided during the difficult time. We will be keeping an eye on the situation and what happens over the coming weeks and months"

More on PMI

General and Medical Healthcare joins amii
PMI

General and Medical Healthcare joins amii

PMI provider

Jaskeet Briah
clock 04 November 2024 • 1 min read
Benenden Health names Tom Woolgrove as CEO
PMI

Benenden Health names Tom Woolgrove as CEO

Former CII president

Jaskeet Briah
clock 29 October 2024 • 1 min read
Societal ageing and climate change adding to healthcare challenges
PMI

Societal ageing and climate change adding to healthcare challenges

AXA research shows

Jaskeet Briah
clock 14 October 2024 • 2 min read

Highlights

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

"It takes longer than ever to get underwriting terms"

John Brazier
clock 12 October 2023 • 5 min read
Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

According to latest ReMark report

John Brazier
clock 11 October 2023 • 2 min read
ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

Women within executive teams have grown to 32%

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 October 2023 • 3 min read