| Since the 1940s, the United Kingdom has provided | | | | treatment as a 'top up' to the National Health |
| state-funded health care to all of its citizens. In | | | | Service - using such services as a way to ease |
| many ways, this service is still quite unique in | | | | any discomfort that can sometimes result from |
| terms of how much of the cost is born by the | | | | using the NHS. For those with the required extra |
| taxpayer. While most people feel that the National | | | | income, it can simply make the treatment of |
| Health Service is enough, there are some people | | | | ailments more comfortable. |
| who choose private hospital care - and in this | | | | It is arguable that because there simply isn't the |
| article we will look at the reasons that patients do | | | | pressure on the private medical facility, the staff |
| this. | | | | have a lot more time to devote to patient care - |
| As so many people rely on the NHS, and running | | | | focusing particularly on the little extras that make |
| parallel to this there is very little medical insurance | | | | a stay in a hospital veer towards an experience in |
| - the NHS is likely to remain the primary care | | | | a hotel, and away from a clinical practice. |
| provider for a long time to come. But some | | | | Many private health firms have patients who have |
| people choose private hospital treatment because | | | | their treatment costs met by private medical |
| it offer s a greater degree of comfort, arguably, | | | | insurance. While this is one of the most widely |
| than the NHS can provide. One of the main draws | | | | used ways of obtaining private health care, many |
| is having your own private room, which contrasts | | | | private hospital groups also offer a one off option, |
| with state hospitals which have several people in | | | | where treatment can be given to people as they |
| each ward. | | | | need it; so someone who normally uses the |
| Arguably, treatment is administered a lot faster in | | | | service of the NHS simply decide to have one |
| a private hospital compared to an NHS hospital. | | | | particular operation in a private hospital - to |
| Although it should be noted that no private | | | | increase their comfort. It may also be that |
| hospital in the UK provides Accident and | | | | someone wishes that one of their relatives gets a |
| Emergency treatment - so there is no concept of | | | | little extra care in certain circumstances. |
| this life-threatening situation really risking anyone's | | | | These are just a few reasons why people might |
| life. | | | | opt for a visit to a private hospital rather than a |
| Most people regard the use of private hospital | | | | public one. |