Private healthcare is commonly used to describe any healthcare treatment received by an individual which is provided by someone other than the NHS, or other government funded body.

The creation of the NHS in 1948 provided every individual in the UK with healthcare which was free at the point of delivery and replaced the previous system of private healthcare.

However in the last few years, as more financial strain has been placed on the NHS system and as demand increases, the provision and availability of private healthcare has again come to the fore as a major issue. A large number of people now choose private healthcare for dental treatment and medical consultations as well as more serious procedures.

Many people decide to pay for private healthcare as they feel that they can receive treatment faster than they would via the NHS, many also feel that being able to choose where and who delivers the treatment is a major advantage. Obviously not everyone has the means to pay for private healthcare outright, and in order to cover this shortfall many take out a form of private health insurance policy.

Find out more about health insurance and medical insurance.