There is a psychology behind people equating higher price to higher quality when it comes to goods and services - it’s called the marketing placebo effect. It demonstrates how different elements of marketing, such as pricing, can alter the perceived quality or efficacy of a product.

For example, a person may taste different glasses of wine poured from the same bottle and be told the price of each varies. In the end, they will likely say that the best-tasting one is what they’re told was most expensive, as exemplified by a 2017 study.

Many apply the same view to facilities that provide medical and health services. The word 'private' gives off an air of exclusivity and prestige, while 'public' is often associated with communal, and possibly in some instrances, outdated things.

But do these perceptions hold up against services provided by the NHS and those provided by private practices?

NHS vs. Private Healthcare

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is a medical and healthcare services provider that has been serving citizens since 1948. It’s one of the world’s largest publicly funded health services, with internationally recognised quality of care.

Alongside the NHS, private medical facilities offer patients access to a broad range of medical treatments, specialities and services that patients have to pay for either personally or through an insurance.

When deciding between the two, keep in mind that both NHS facilities and private practices follow the same standard of care. Doctors, nurses and other medical staff are required to abide by the stringent laws that govern healthcare professionals.

With that said, there are still differences between NHS and private healthcare:

Locations

When it comes to locations, private healthcare offers a choice of healthcare facilities that are at a location most convenient to you. With the NHS, on the other hand, the location of your chosen treatment may depend on which hospital offers that specialty.

Waiting Times

One of the biggest problems that people who rely on NHS facilities face is the wait times they’re subjected to. According to the NHS itself, non-urgent, consultant-led treatments can take up to 18 weeks from the day they were booked.  The waiting times often mean people can be in discomfort or pain for a long time before being seen, and this in itself can lead to stress.

Meanwhile, private healthcare allows you to get the medical treatment you need, when you need it. In fact, health and social care secretary Sajid Javid announced recently that as part of his planned healthcare reforms, surgery at private hospitals is an option for NHS patients waiting for more than 18 months. And the NHS will cover the cost.

At Vista Health you can self-refer and be seen by a diagnostic specialist immediately, and with a report within 3 days, it means that you can get treatment sooner. 

Treatment and Drugs

Prescription medicine in both NHS facilities and private hospitals are paid for by patients. However, whilst NHS prescriptions have a set fee per item, the cost of private prescriptions varies, depending on each pharmacy’s mark-up and price fluctuations.  Also people will have access to prescription drugs that may not be available on the NHS.  Although Vista Health offer private diagnostic services only, it does allow your GP or specialist to treat you more appropriately based on the specialist reports that we send to them.

Cost

The NHS provides free medical treatment to UK citizens, paid for through the state taxes. There may be certain charges, such as the previously mentioned prescriptions, as well as dental care and eye care costs.

Private healthcare, on the other hand, is paid for by individuals either personally or through private medical insurance plans. Obviously this is a cost over and above your National Insurance taxes that the majority of us pay, but when you consider waiting times and urgency, then it may be invaluable.

Vista Health offer same day and next day appointments, but there are also off-peak appointments that can be made for as little as £249.

Get Affordable Private Healthcare

While private healthcare may seem expensive compared to NHS, you can get quality private care that’s prompt, affordable and accessible.

An industry-leading quality healthcare provider in the UK, Vista Health offers patients the highest level of care through our various services, including private MRI scans and echocardiograms.  See our full range of diagnostic services here and over 50 locations throughout England and Wales.

Alternatively contact us about the services you need today.