Nearly two thirds (62 percent) of people in the UK believe that all workplaces should offer private healthcare as part of their benefits package, according to research from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN).
Results show this sentiment is strongest among younger workers. Almost seven in ten 18-24 year olds say they would be more likely to apply for a job if it offered private health insurance as a benefit.
The findings come from IHPN’s Going Private 2025 report, which shows that access to private healthcare is becoming an increasingly important factor in employment decisions, with demand rising across all age groups, regions and socio-economic backgrounds.
The research highlights a sharp increase in the number of mid-career employees turning to private provision. Almost half (49 percent) of 35-44 year olds expect to use private treatment in the next 12 months, indicating a jump of ten percentage points on last year, making them the cohort most likely to use it. This compares to four in ten 18-24 year olds and one third of 45-64 year olds.
Across all age groups, 71 percent of people say they would consider private healthcare, up nearly 10 percent in two years. The trend spans regions, from 64 percent in Yorkshire and Humberside to 76 percent in the West Midlands.
The rise in expected take up of private medical care also cuts across socio-economic groups, with 82 percent of people in managerial and professional roles (AB grade), 70 percent of skilled manual workers (C2 grade) and 60 percent of unskilled workers (DE grades) open to going private. For the latter two grades, this represents rises of 6 percent and 10 percent respectively since 2023.
Delays in NHS appointments remain the main motivator for accessing private care, highlighted by almost half of users. However, one in four respondents say they use it because they have private medical insurance and a further one in four say they use it because it offers more personalised care. This suggests flexibility and convenience are becoming as important as speed of access.
However, among people who have not, or would not, use private healthcare, cost is the most significant factor. More than half of respondents say that they could not afford it. Around a quarter of people who would not use private healthcare say it’s because they do not approve of it in principle.
David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), said the survey shows a growing openness to using private healthcare in the UK.
“Whilst a decade or two ago it may have been seen as the preserve of the ‘rich’, it’s now clear that private healthcare is becoming ever more relevant to people’s everyday lives, with the increasing numbers of employers who are providing private medical insurance to their staff proving a particular driver in encouraging more people to ‘go private’.
“It’s of course hugely welcome to see the overwhelming majority of people who use private healthcare saying it represented value for money, and with a significant majority of people saying that all workplaces should offer private healthcare as part of their employee benefits package, there is an ever clearer role that employers could play in making it easier for people to access the healthcare they need.”
Patrick Parkin, head of health, care and life sciences at Burges Salmon, a law firm that supported the research, added: “This year’s Going Private report paints a positive picture for the sector… including accessibility, personalisation, and value.”
