A significant increase in the number of people opting for private healthcare has been observed, driven by mounting concerns over National Health Service (NHS) waiting lists.

Healthwatch England, a patient watchdog, warned that the proportion of individuals paying for private healthcare has nearly doubled in recent years, reflecting growing frustration with delays in accessing treatment through the public system.

According to the watchdog, many patients are increasingly choosing to pay out of pocket for consultations, diagnostic tests and elective procedures rather than endure lengthy waiting times within the NHS.

This trend is particularly evident among people seeking faster access to specialist appointments and routine surgeries.

Healthwatch England noted that the shift towards private healthcare is raising broader concerns about health inequality, as those with the financial means are able to bypass queues while others remain dependent on the public system.

The organisation warned that the development could gradually create a two-tier healthcare system, where timely medical care becomes closely tied to personal income.

The warning comes as the NHS continues to grapple with a substantial backlog of patients awaiting treatment following disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ongoing staffing shortages and rising demand for services.

Health advocates have urged policymakers to prioritise reducing waiting lists and strengthening NHS capacity, arguing that restoring public confidence in the system will be essential to reversing the growing reliance on private healthcare.