Spire Healthcare GP Survey

ComRes interviewed 1015 GPs in the UK online between 21st and 26th June 2012.

Date Published: 24 Jul 2012

Categories: Health | Professionals | Public Sector | Social | UK

Description

SURVEY RESULTS SHOW GPs ARE SAVING THE NHS MONEY BY TURNING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Compared with 2011 findings, GPs are now significantly more likely to ask patients about private medical insurance

Over half of GPs feel comfortable with their role as both provider and commissioner, when directing a patient for private treatment

Survey results released today by Spire Healthcare have revealed more than half of GPs in the UK (54 per cent) report feeling comfortable when directing patients to private treatment, irrespective of whether they have private medical insurance.  However, one in three GPs (36 per cent) say they still feel uncomfortable about doing this. 

The GP survey interviewed 1015 GPs from across the UK. In 2011, Spire Healthcare questioned GPs about whether they were asking more patients if they had private medical insurance compared with six months ago.  The results were dramatically different this year.

In 2011, 24 per cent of GPs said they were asking more patients about private medical insurance, but in a poll conducted in June 2012, this figure has increased to 58 per cent -

Dr Jean-Jacques de Gorter, Clinical Services Director for Spire Healthcare, commented:

“GPs can save the NHS a substantial amount of money by encouraging patients to use their private medical insurance. We can demonstrate how a practice with 2,000 patients can save as much as £172,000* per annum by encouraging those with PMI to use it, and this enables GPs to make the most of their NHS budgets.

“It’s good to see more and more GPs asking their patients about private treatment.  The private sector has an important role to play working alongside our excellent national healthcare system in the UK.”

ComRes interviewed 1015 GPs in the UK online between 21st and 26th June 2012. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of GPs in the UK. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full data tables available at www.comres.co.uk

ComRes interviewed 1001 GPs in the UK online between 19th and 25th October 2011. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of GPs in the UK. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full data tables available at www.comres.co.uk