Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the research findings is that the age group making the greatest use of private healthcare is not affluent baby boomers.

Almost three quarters of under-35s said they “would consider” using private healthcare. While this might seem surprising at first glance, it supports the contention that Millennials and Gen-Z are more focused on experiences than possessions. They prioritise quality of life over acquiring wealth and tangible assets.

The ability to circumvent NHS waiting lists is fine for those who have private medical cover. Also, as already mentioned, growing numbers are paying for private treatment out of their own pockets. More than 80 percent of those who have done so feel it was money well spent, but that presupposes that they have either the private cover or the available funds.

Affordability is the biggest barrier, followed by ethical objections. However, as far as the former is concerned, research shows there is a lack of clear information about the cost of private healthcare. There are opportunities here for providers to empower patients by giving them better information regarding costs.

The second barrier is more complex. Dr John Puntis, Co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public said it was “absolutely shameful” that waiting lists mean the NHS “can’t diagnose and treat life-threatening illnesses such as cancer in a timely fashion.”

However, in the short to medium term, there seems little prospect of NHS waiting lists easing. In the meantime, people will continue to do whatever it takes to receive the treatment they need.