One of the things that individuals with health insurance enjoy most about private treatment is having the privacy of their own room with a range of home comforts like television and internet. It makes sense and studies have shown that being surrounded by familiar company and communication with loved ones throughout any treatment period aids patient recovery.
With a ward based structure being surrounded by strangers with only the privacy of a thin curtain when you are being examined by doctors is not likely to aid the relaxation, wellbeing and recovery of a patient, this is recognised and thus the NHS have already started to pilot the introduction of single rooms into the NHS.
This has been backed by the conservatives who have recently claimed that if in power, intend to singnificantly increase single rooms within the NHS. Although given public debt and spending cuts and teh cost of introducing such facilities into the NHS could this be pie in the sky thinking, spending plans in the NHS are likely to be reduced, not increased.
The plans to create an extra 45,000 single rooms in NHS hospitals has been estimated to cost £314m a year over five years but other estimates cost the changes at around £1,903m a year over the same period.
It is great to see the government have the patients best interests at heart however are private rooms really a priority, getting treatment waiting lists within their targets is surely the foundation to build upon and the first issue to address with full force.
With a very competitive private health insurance market providing a great range of products to suit every budget their is and affordable health insurance plan for everyone, the tie between the NHS and the private sector is only becoming stronger and those already covered for private treatment are enjoying the benefits of both.
We all know the main benefits of private healthcare, receiving rapid treatment when they you need it but it also allows for a higher level of privacy and patient respect. Single rooms allow for a greater level of confidentiality, patients can talk more openly without fear of being overheard by fellow patients.
Single rooms with all your home comforts can really help during such stressful times, sleep is a very important part of recovery and as you can imagine a private room provides the peace and quiet to help you get the necessary sleep required. Some of the many benefits include:
- Better sleep
- Request food when you want it.
- Privacy
- Patient confidentiality
- Peace and quiet
- Reduced infection rates
- Family members can visit around the clock
If you are looking to buy health cover and require some more information, guidance or health insurance quotes from the leading providers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We will do all we can to find you the best policy at the right price.
For a published guide to health insurance see the Association of British Insurers.
