The number of privately insured patients undergoing treatment has increased by 13% in the five years up to 1998, a new report on trends in acute hospitals reveals.
Private hospitals carried out 14% of planned operations in England and Wales last year.
There were 828,000 admissions to private hospitals in 1997-1998 including those funded by private health insurance, self-paying private patients, and those referred from the NHS. Private money paid for one in four hip replacements, 20% of coronary bypasses and 40% of cosmetic operations.
Professor Brian Williams of Nottingham University unveiled his report at the 1999 Acute Care Conference in London this week.
Much of the report detailed the two-way traffic between private and public health sectors.
The number of private patients treated in Trust hospital pay beds has risen to about 100,000.
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
