With the great numbers of media coverage on NHS patients catching infections and diseases after being in hospital, along with the growing number of compensation claims filed against the Trust because of illnesses and deaths as a result of medical negligence, more NHS patients are in fear of falling victim to an NHS related death or illness.

However, according to government reports, NHS hospital infection rates are falling at a steady pace.

Mike Dalby, Director of the private medical health insurance firm, Health-on-Line, said: “Last year saw stories emerging of people contracting infections whilst in hospital. Government statistics now suggest these infection rates are dropping yet there remains a constant flow of stories depicting the plight of those still unfortunate enough to contract an infection.”

However, he warned that the elderly may still be more vulnerable to hospital infections.

He said: “Whilst there has been a marked decrease in the numbers recorded, the elderly and infirm remain vulnerable to such contagion.

With a focus on hand washing and general hygiene standards it is gratifying to see the levels of reported infections drop, although are these statistics increasing the public’s confidence or is there still some way to go?”

Are Brits losing confidence in the NHS?

With the number of Brits who are losing their private health insurance cover as a result of being made redundant increasing, along with other Brits who are unable afford going private because of the impact of the financial crisis, the amount of patients for the NHS has soared incredibly and is expected to continue to increase as more Brits are made redundant.

Yet despite the government reports of the rate of infection in NHS hospitals plummeting, Brits are in fact, still losing their confidence in the NHS.

As the NHS prepares for its expected 80 per cent increase in the number of medical negligence claims filed during the next two years as its patient figures rise, more Brits are being forced into considering private medical care as they fear of falling victim to medical negligence.

With the current financial crisis leaving a majority of Brits struggling for cash, it is expected that Brits would settle for the NHS as private healthcare becomes out of reach.

However, according to Dalby, there has been a growing number of enquiries made from people wanting to purchase health insurance.

He said: “Tellingly, the number of enquiries we are receiving from people who wish to have health insurance in place continues to rise, and concerns centred on the quality of care available appear to fuel the public’s appetite further.”

Bupa also revealed that it had attracted more customers for private health insurance after it saw its revenue continue to rise.

Ray King, chief executive of Bupa said: “We’re pleased at how we’re performing in a period where economies have slowed dramatically.”