Demand For Private GP Services Up By 156% Between 2019 And 2022
Internet searches for private GP services (2019 vs 2022)
In October 2022, we analysed how frequently terms relating to private GP services were used to start a Google search in the UK. We looked at data for the average monthly searches for every month between September 2019 and 2022.
Initially, we looked at the UK as a whole, breaking the research into the four home nations. However, with overall search activity being far higher in England than in the rest of the UK, we decided to also break down the English results by county.
Overall we found that searches for private GPs in the UK increased by a significant 156% between September 2019 and 2022 (21,170 vs 54,160 per month.)
Increase in private GP searches Sept 2019-2022 by nation:
- England – 151%
- Scotland – 203%
- Wales – 166%
- Northern Ireland – 382%
Demand for private GP services in England
Further to our overall research, and given that search volumes for private GP services are significantly higher in England than elsewhere, we looked at how search activity has changed in each English region and county.
Increase in demand by region
English counties with the sharpest rise in internet searches for private GPs:
The 10 counties with the biggest increase in demand:
- Nottinghamshire – 308%
- Lincolnshire – 265%
- Devon – 210%
- East Sussex – 210%
- Cornwall – 200%
- Merseyside – 196%
- Yorkshire – 192%
- Wiltshire – 190%
- Worcestershire – 185%
- Bedfordshire – 180%
Private GP services and health insurance
Most leading health insurers now have access to round-the-clock “virtual GP” services. Typically appointments are held online or on the phone, with face-to-face private consultations only being available on higher-end policies. The benefit of a virtual GP is that you can speak to them at any time, which to many, who are used to waiting for an appointment, will come as a welcome benefit. Click here if you’d like to know more about health insurance and virtual GPs.
About myTribe Insurance
myTribe is a consumer information website specialising in private healthcare and insurance. The site gives anyone looking at private healthcare in the UK the information they need through independent research, guides, and expert reviews.
Press contact: chris@mytribeinsurance.co.uk
Disclaimer: This information is general and what is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances. Please speak with a financial adviser or do your own research before making a decision.
