DESPITE the long-running recession, a private Bromley hospital has seen a dramatic increase in patients paying for their own treatments over the past year.
According to Janet Bradford, the hospital's executive director, there are several reasons for this, including NHS treatments no long being available and long NHS waiting times.
The Sloane Hospital, Beckenham, has seen the highest rise in patients paying for ear and nose procedures, with an 82 per cent increase.
The hospital has also seen 46 per cent more patients paying for general medicine, 43 per cent more paying for Ophthalmics (eye conditions) and 25 per cent more paying for Orthopaedic procedures such as knee and hip replacements.
Ms Bradford said: "I think there are a whole host of reasons for the increase.
"In recent years there have been produres that are no longer available on the NHS.
"There has also been a perceived rise in waiting times, and people don't want to wait for longer.
"It is important to say that these are non-essential treatments - treatments that are non-life threating.
"It is just the way healthcare is moving."
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