By Nicholas Dawson

Copyright walesonline

A woman has revealed how she was forced to rely on her parents to fund a private operation or face a two-year NHS waiting list. Rachel, 44, from Bristol, needed a complete ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair following a sports injury sustained whilst playing netball in 2022. She chose to spend £9,146 on private treatment in 2023 after discovering the NHS waiting period would stretch between 18 months and two years. She said it was “devastating news” to be told of the lengthy delay to get her treatment. She said: “I was so upset – and angry – at the thought of waiting that long, all while being unable to walk properly or do everyday things. “With two young kids to look after, being out of action wasn’t an option.” She explored funding her own care and discovered the procedure would cost £9,146, which exceeded her budget. She said: “I spoke to my parents about it, and they could see how much it was affecting me. Netball has always been a real passion of mine, and I was feeling really low without it. “They offered to lend me the money so I could have the surgery sooner. I was so grateful. “I had the operation not long afterwards at the Spire – a private hospital in Bristol. It was major surgery and the recovery took weeks and weeks, but I’m pleased to say I’m now fully recovered and back to running and playing sport.” Rachel has now opted for private medical insurance to prevent a similar situation in the future. Research from health insurance provider Howden discovered that 27 percent of UK adults have paid for private medical treatment in the past five years, equating to over 14.6 million people. One in seven individuals have received financial assistance from others to cover their medical expenses. Ian Sawyer, commercial director at Howden Life and Health, said: “With NHS waiting lists at an all-time high, more and more families are stepping in to help their loved ones access treatment quickly. “It’s striking to see that 5.2 million people have paid for private care for their children, and millions more have done the same for their partners or parents. This growing reliance on the ‘Bank of mum and Dad’ – not just for deposits, but for doctors – shows just how deeply NHS delays are impacting families across the UK.” Howden’s research also revealed that online searches for ‘cheap health insurance’ have increased by 46 percent year on year, while searches for ‘health insurance quotes’ have risen by 53 percent. Mr Sawyer said: “Our data shows a clear demand for private healthcare – not only are people self-funding and funding loved ones, but when asked what benefit they would choose if their employer were to fully fund one benefit, the majority (60%) of respondents said PMI. “And while private healthcare might feel out of reach for many, it’s worth exploring what’s available. Today’s private medical insurance options are far more flexible and affordable than many people realise.”