New NHS figures positive, but private health insurance sales up too

BRISTOL, U.K. - Aug. 29, 2018 - PRLog -- The latest GP Patient Survey, an independent patientexperience surveyrun by IpsosMORIon behalf of the NHS, once again shows high satisfaction levels with the service. Nationally, 84% of respondents reported a broadly positive experience of the GP service, a figure virtually identical to last year's score of 85%.

At the same time, Bristol based mutual insurer, National Friendly, reported a 40% rise in sales of its Out-patient Plan, from Q4 2017 to Q2 2018, with sales of the In-patient Plan increasing by 10% over the same period. The NHS data was gathered over a slightly shorter period, from January 2018 to March 2018.

One area of relative weakness revealed by the GP Patient Survey was in the experience of making an appointment. In 2017, 71% saw or spoke to someone at a time they wanted or sooner, whilst this year in 2018, this figure fell to 62%.

Commenting on the apparent contradiction between high satisfaction levels reported with the NHS GP survey and increased private health insurance sales, Wayne Carter, Head of Sales and Marketing at National Friendly observes, "Although one might expect there to be a correlation between sales of private health insurance and sentiments towards the NHS, private medical insurance is designed to supplement the NHS; it's not a case of having one or the other. For example, some may use the NHS for more serious ailments where historically patients have been treated quickly, but where NHS waiting lists can be as long as 18 weeks for non-urgent treatments like a hip or knee replacement, the appeal of rapid treatment with private healthcare can be considerable."

National Friendly is owned entirely by its members and with no shareholders to satisfy, the profits are used to look after the members themselves. Founded in 1868, the Society also offers life insurance and savings and investment plans to help provide for life's difficulties.

For more information, please visit:

www.nationalfriendly.co.uk/pr

Media enquiries

For further information on National Friendly, please contact:

Guy Stephenson/Erica Evans

Nacelle Limited

Tel:  +44 (0)20 8333 9125

About National Friendly

Based in Bristol, National Friendly is a mutual organisation which is solely owned by its members.

Established in 1868, it has no shareholders and exists to serve the best interests of its 32,000 (as at December 2017) members.

National Friendly is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Its vision is to be a forward-thinking and trusted mutual that meets the health, welfare and protection needs of its customers, through a portfolio of innovative insurance products.

Sources:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/gp-patient-survey

https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/appointment-booking/Pages/nhs-waiting-times.aspx

https://gp-patient.co.uk/downloads/archive/2018/Weighted/GPPS%202018%20National%20infographic%20PUBLIC.pdf