What are you waiting for?

No one likes going to the doctor or dentist, but the idea of having a check up is likely to be even more off putting if you know that you'll have to wait weeks before you can even get an appointment with your practitioner.

A survey conducted by HSA has revealed that at any one time in the UK, 55% of people will be waiting for health check-ups or treatment. Waiting times are ridiculously high, with 33% of respondents claiming to have been waiting for treatment for over 12months.

The length of the NHS waiting lists has been an issue for some time now but it seems that is not the main reason why people choose to delay checkups. Although the fear of finding out depressing results was a major delaying factor for most people, 4 in 10 respondents claimed that the cost of the check ups was the main reason that they chose to delay them.

The age group most concerned about the cost of health check ups and treatments was the 25 - 34 age group. However, despite these concerns, only 5% of respondents had a cash plan set up specifically to cover healthcare costs, whilst an astounding 66% of respondents claimed not to put aside any money at all for health care.

There is a well-proven link between timelines of treatment and medical outcomes. Putting off a check up or simple treatment when you need it costs more in the long term since the risk of developing a condition grows or its outcome worsens. According to HSA, the NHS is never going to be able to afford to meet the needs of everyone who needs healthcare treatment in the UK. The NHS, quite rightly, has to prioritise conditions that are acute which means that other treatments fall down the list.  With this in mind it's vital that people are aware that there are organisations in the private sector, such as HSA, which can help manage the cost of and access to healthcare.

For more information you can visit www.hsa.co.uk

Of those surveyed, the following was revealed….

• At any one time in the UK, 55% of people are waiting for a health check-up or treatment. Delaying check-ups or minor treatment leads to worse medical outcomes in the long run.
• 3% are waiting for major surgery.
• 4% are waiting for minor surgery.
• The rest are waiting for relatively minor treatments such as a visit to the dentist or optometrist.
• The age group with the highest proportion of people waiting for treatment is aged between 16 and 24.
• According to the survey 26% of respondents aged 25-34 say that they are waiting on a check-up because they are worried about the cost of the treatment and 40% of those aged 55 and over are already on an NHS waiting list and can't afford to go private.
• Out of all the men surveyed 34% of those say that they have been waiting over 12 months for a consultation/treatment.
• Out of all females surveyed 32% of those say that they have been waiting over 12 months for a consultation/treatment.
• Only 11% of men and 8% of woman have private health insurance, enabling them to pay towards their health costs.
• Results from the survey show that, 62% of those aged 55 and over dip into their savings or take out a loan to pay towards their health costs.
• It seems that getting on a waiting list for NHS dental treatment is longer than it was five years ago. Of those aged between 25-34, 82% of respondents agree, followed closely behind with 77% of those aged 35-44 years old.