Is the NHS losing its appeal for Britain’s youth?

The NHS has survived many Conservative governments which, according to their opponents, were out to privatise it. But can it survive a growing disenchantment on the part of young professionals who are turned off by the idea of having to queue for healthcare?

According to the Independent Healthcare Provider Network (IHPN) – admittedly not an entirely disinterested party – the largest growth in the private health sector is among young professionals in their 20s, 30s and 40s, who want rapid scans and other diagnostic tests without the wait. As the organisation’s chief executive, David Hare, puts it, these are people ‘who are accustomed to high quality, convenient and personalised services in many other aspects of their lives’, and who don’t see why healthcare should be any different. When you have grown up being able to order taxis, book airline flights, have lunch delivered to your desk, all with a few swipes on a smartphone, the idea of waiting several weeks for an appointment – and then having little choice as to when that appointment is held – holds little appeal.    

This might all seem at odds with the assertion that the young are becoming more left-wing – with the tendency to vote Labour increasing steadily as you go down the age scale.