Growing numbers are using private healthcare, but many lack confidence in reliable information and making decisions about their care.

More people are turning to private healthcare, but many lack confidence in navigating their options or finding reliable information, a new survey has found.

Nearly one in seven people (16%) used private healthcare in the past year, according to research by Healthwatch England. This is almost double the 9% recorded in 2023.

Long NHS waits were the most common reason for going private, with 39% of people citing them as their main motivation.

Meanwhile, separate research suggests many people would struggle to know where to start when looking into private healthcare.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults by the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) found that 28% of those who would research private healthcare before using it would not know where to start.

Only 26% said they felt “very confident” organising and using private healthcare.

PHIN said the growing use of private healthcare made it increasingly important for patients to have access to clear and reliable information about their choices.

Ian Gargan, chief executive of PHIN, added that patients may have to make decisions about private healthcare “when they already feel unwell or are uncertain, and under pressure.”

The organisation’s report found that patients need straightforward access to independent information to help them understand their options.

PHIN is the government-mandated organisation responsible for collecting and publishing data on privately funded healthcare in the UK.

It collates information from more than 650 hospitals and uses it to help patients compare providers based on factors such as patient experience and quality of care.