Amelia WardResident doctors in England walked out for six days between 7 and 13 April 2026 — the 15th strike since March 2023 — as a dispute over pay and training posts continues to grind down the NHS's ability to clear a waiting list that stood at 7.25 million cases in January 2026. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has become the public face of the government's response, said this week that meeting the British Medical Association's demands for more specialist training posts was "not operationally or financially possible."
For patients already counting the weeks until their appointment, the latest walkout is more than a headline. It is another delay stacked on top of delays — and a growing number of people are asking whether going private is the only way to get treated in a reasonable timeframe.
What Is Happening in the NHS Right Now
The January 2026 NHS England figures show 7.25 million cases on the waiting list, representing 6.13 million individual patients. Of those, nearly 2.79 million have been waiting more than 18 weeks — well beyond the legal standard. The median wait stands at 13.6 weeks, compared to 7.8 weeks before the COVID pandemic.
The good news, acknowledged by Wes Streeting himself, is that the list has been falling. NHS England reported the second biggest drop in the waiting list in 15 years by January, and by March 2026 the list had reached its lowest point since early 2023. But 15 rounds of industrial action since 2023 have eaten into those gains each time. According to NHS England, each six-day walkout results in tens of thousands of cancelled appointments and procedures, many of which take weeks to reschedule.
Streeting has said he is "ashamed" that patients are receiving corridor treatment and vowed swift action. He has also pledged NHS reforms through the government's 10-Year Workforce Plan, expected in spring 2026. However, critics point out that structural change will not help patients already waiting months for a knee replacement or cancer screening today.
The Sharp Rise in Private Healthcare Use
The figures are striking. According to a March 2026 survey by Healthwatch England, 16% of people used private healthcare services in the past year — nearly double the 9% recorded in 2023. And when people were asked why, the answer had changed dramatically: 39% cited long NHS waiting times as their primary reason, up from a position where "perceived better quality" had been the top driver.
In practical terms, this means hundreds of thousands of people who never previously considered private treatment are now paying out of pocket — or investigating whether they should. Common procedures driving this shift include orthopaedic surgery (hip and knee replacements), ophthalmology (cataract removal), and dermatology consultations.
The political debate around private healthcare has intensified too. Reform UK has proposed introducing 20% VAT on private healthcare to fund the NHS, while other voices argue that tax relief on private medical insurance would reduce pressure on the public system. Streeting has not endorsed either position, but the crossfire reflects how central the question of NHS-versus-private has become in 2026.
What Are Your Options If You Are on a Waiting List
If you are one of the 7.25 million patients on the NHS waiting list, you have more options than many people realise.
The NHS referral route: Under the NHS Constitution, patients have a legal right to be seen within 18 weeks of a GP referral. If that standard is breached, you can ask to be referred to another NHS provider — including a private provider paid for by the NHS — using the Right to Choose scheme. Your GP or the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) at your hospital can help you access this.
Self-funding private treatment: If your wait is longer than 18 weeks or you simply cannot wait, you can pay for private treatment directly. Costs vary widely: a private GP consultation typically costs £80–£200, a specialist outpatient appointment £150–£400, and a procedure such as cataract surgery £1,500–£3,500 per eye. According to the NHS Right to Choose guidance, patients can also ask their GP to refer them to a specific provider.
Private medical insurance (PMI): If you have private medical insurance through your employer or personally, now is the time to review exactly what it covers and how to activate a claim. Insurers often require a GP referral before covering specialist costs, and some policies exclude pre-existing conditions.
Mixed pathways: It is also possible to start privately — paying for an initial consultation to speed up diagnosis — and then return to the NHS for the actual procedure. This hybrid approach is becoming more common, particularly for diagnostic tests such as MRI scans, which can cost as little as £300–£500 privately compared to a wait of several months on the NHS.
When Should You Consult a Health Expert
The rise in private healthcare use has also prompted questions about how to navigate the system — both NHS and private. A health specialist or consultant can help you understand:
- Whether your condition is appropriate for a private referral or whether it can safely wait
- Which private providers have the best outcomes for your specific procedure
- How to interpret NHS waiting time data for your trust and specialty
- Whether your symptoms warrant urgent escalation regardless of the queue
If you are living with a chronic condition, managing recovery from a procedure, or simply struggling to get a timely GP appointment, connecting with a qualified health professional via a consultation platform can give you clarity and a clearer action plan — without committing to expensive private treatment before you know whether it is necessary.
YMYL disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your personal situation.
What Happens Next
The RMT and BMA disputes show no immediate sign of resolution. Wes Streeting has indicated that the government will continue talks with the BMA but will not meet all of its demands. Further strike dates beyond April have not been ruled out.
For the 7.25 million patients on the waiting list, the message from the government is that progress is being made — but slowly. The record 18.4 million treatments delivered in 2025 is a real achievement, and the waiting list is trending down. But for anyone facing an 18-week breach or a condition that is worsening while they wait, practical options exist today: the NHS Right to Choose scheme, self-funded private care, or a mixed pathway that uses private diagnostics to accelerate an NHS procedure.
Understanding those options — and which is right for your specific situation — is exactly where a health specialist consultation can make the difference.
