Private hospitals preferred by public
A recent survey suggests the British public would rather
be treated in private hospitals – when you look at the perks it's
easy to see why.
The major attraction of private hospitals is an obvious one –
the clue lies in the wording: 'private'. Private hospitals offer
that most valuable of things – privacy. When you're feeling unwell
privacy can be a big deal. The idea of sharing a ward with people
of both sexes with no guarantee your hospital neighbours will be
perfect company or a neighbour from hell can be stress inducing.
Another reason some patients prefer private hospitals is the food –
often receiving a wider choice and delicious menu – and it's the
small things like decent grub that can really matter when you're
feeling lousy.
The 'Hotel Experience' of Private Hospitals
Private hospitals usually equate to private toilets and
bathrooms – another crucial ingredient for patients who are
concerned about safeguarding their dignity and don't want the
embarrassment or discomfort of sharing a toilet and washroom
facilities. In fact, the appeal of private hospitals is the 'hotel
experience' that many private hospitals offer. It's instinctive
that we want to be left alone in privacy when we're feeling unwell,
and having that space, privacy and comfort as well as the
reassurance of high quality care, means patients who are ill only
have to worry about getting better.
Private Hospitals for Comfort and Confidence
For many who opt for private medical insurance, private
hospitals offer both comfort and confidence providing privacy and
rest for patients. The flexibility of private health insurance
schemes and the opportunity to pay one-off fees for treatment in a
private hospital makes it even more appealing. Private hospitals
are accountable and responsible for their own performance, and as
such can offer a superior healthcare service tailored to individual
needs. In some cases what you get is what you pay for, and as the
news headlines continue to spell out more cases of superbug
outbreaks, it’s not surprising more patients would rather go
private.
Private Hospitals – Bespoke Care
If you’ve ever worried about the risks of MRSA, there are some
scary statistics behind the threat: in 2004, 100,000 people who
went into hospital got an infection there, of which 5,000 died.
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant or multiple
antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; it is bacteria
resistant to treatment that can only be controlled through
cleanliness and strict adherence to washing hands between every
patient contact. Patients turn to private hospitals for cleanliness
and attention to patients, as well as for private rooms and
space.