Health insurance companies are not directly in competitions with the NHS, one expert has claimed.
Bad reports in the press about the standard of free healthcare in the UK would not be a factor for most individuals when opting for health insurance, asserted Natalie Eyles, a spokesperson for Pru Health.
Pru Health is a joint venture between South African healthcare provider Discovery Holdings and insurance group Prudential.
Ms Eyles' comments followed a report from the Information Centre for health and social care, which revealed that the number of complaints received by NHS trusts is rising.
However, the expert stated that these reports would not impact upon the uptake of health insurance policies.
"I don't think that would be the direct reason why people would be taking up health insurance and I don't see us as a direct competitor to the NHS," she remarked.
Ms Eyles added that when she opted for a health insurance policy, factors such as value were the main driving forces behind the decision, rather than any concern about the standard of care provided by the NHS.




