Does the use of private clinics for elective procedures reduce or accentuate health inequalities?

In England in 2023, more NHS-funded procedures were carried out in private hospitals than ever before. The financial impact of privatisation has been much explored; however little is known about the impact on patients. A small qualitative study suggests treating private and NHS patients in the same clinic may increase health inequity through delayed procedures for NHS-funded patients as private patients are prioritised for care, clinicians spending extra time with private patients perceived as more ‘deserving’, and resources allocated based on funding rather than clinical need (e.g. private patients prioritised for a private room over NHS patients needing to be isolated to prevent infection spread). This project questions how use of private clinics can be optimised so as not to perpetuate health inequalities. Our exploration will focus on two areas: Access, and Person-centred care. Using spatial analysis, the project will explore the relationships between deprivation levels and relative distances to private and NHS healthcare providers, and whether, once within a clinic, everyone has the same opportunities for person-centred care to help them achieve the best possible health outcome.