A new survey of Scots has revealed that almost three in ten have used private healthcare in the past two years, many due to NHS waiting lists being too long.

BMA Scotland is warning that the NHS is “dying before our eyes” and the Scottish government must listen to staff and patients if they want to save it.

New figures from the doctors’ union show 29% of Scots say they or someone else from their household have used private care, with 64% reporting they did so because waits on the NHS are too long.

Meanwhile, almost half of respondents to the survey conducted by Diffley Partnership who did not use private care in the past two years said it was because they could not afford it.

In a speech to BMA’s Annual Representative Meeting, Dr Iain Kennedy said the findings represent a “failure to get to grips” with the evolving health needs of the population:

“It is abundantly clear that Scotland has been divided into those who can afford private healthcare and those languishing on ever longer NHS waiting lists.

“Now, I don’t believe anyone made an active choice to pursue this path towards a private health service. But, be in no doubt, the NHS is dying before our very eyes.

“The chance to save our NHS remains. If we want to provide timely care to all, which is free at the point of need, immediate action is required.”

He warned that with the majority of people who had to use private healthcare “forced to do so” over long NHS waits for the care they need, things will “only get worse” if action is not taken.

Around 63% respondents said their confidence in being able to access a timely hospital appointment through the NHS had significantly or somewhat decreased in the past few years – with 60% saying the same for GP appointments.

This comes after the Private Healthcare Information Network revealed an increase in private hospital and clinic use by 6% in 2024.

Just under half of survey respondents said their likelihood of using private healthcare had ‘somewhat or significantly’ increased in the past few years.

Of those that accessed private care, almost half had to use personal savings.

One in five cut back on leisure activities, while 9% cut back on essential items such as energy and groceries and another 9% had to borrow money to fund private treatment.

This comes just a week after the Scottish government unveiled two new frameworks to support NHS and social care reform – including plans to merge two national NHS boards.

While the frameworks commit to “transform” Scotland’s health, delivering care closer to home and embracing digitisation, innovation and treatment advances, they also come as MSPs heard progress in primary care improvements have fallen behind rising need.

Concerns ignored

As NHS doctors face an unemployment crisis, Dr Kennedy told his fellow doctors across the UK that Scotland needs a medical workforce plan.

While the government has begun a national ‘exploratory’ initiative to inform its future medical workforce planning, Dr Kennedy said ministers have failed to meaningfully engage in the national conversation promised last June:

“Our NHS should be free at the point of need. The impact of the Scottish government repeatedly ignoring the warnings made by the BMA and many others is clear.

“Patients are suffering, unable to access the care they need when they need it or having to use their own hard-earned money to go private.

“Everyone knows it is unacceptable. That’s why BMA Scotland will continue to shine a light on the dire state and worsening position of the Scottish NHS. 

“And it’s why we will go on fighting for our members, for our patients, and for a better future for Scotland’s health service.”

Read more: Longest NHS waits priority, says government; NHS Chair: “I'm sorry”; Corridor care ‘the norm’ in hospitals; Watchdog criticises homelessness service cuts; NHS Scotland: waiting lists and beyond; First Minster pledges people will see GP sooner; Clinicians: who will deliver extra appointments?; Care management ‘on its knees’; College: Change course on GPs to save NHS

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