BACKGROUND: Purchasers of health care receive no routine information on the use of the private health sector by their residents, and are consequently unaware of any resulting differentials in access to health services. This information would assist in assessing need for services on a locality basis. METHODS: For the period 1990-1992 surgical activity data from the single private hospital in Preston were examined by electoral ward of residence and compared with corresponding NHS data. RESULTS: For the procedures examined, the private sector contributed only 8 per cent to overall surgical activity within Preston. People from the more affluent wards were far more likely to use the private sector than those from deprived wards. CONCLUSION: The private sector did not introduce any inequity of access to surgery within Preston at electoral ward level. However, in districts with higher levels of private sector activity significant differentials in access may exist.
BACKGROUND: Purchasers of health care receive no routine information on the use of the private health sector by their residents, and are consequently unaware of any resulting differentials in access to health services. This information would assist in assessing need for services on a locality basis. METHODS: For the period 1990-1992 surgical activity data from the single private hospital in Preston were examined by electoral ward of residence and compared with corresponding NHS data. RESULTS: For the procedures examined, the private sector contributed only 8 per cent to overall surgical activity within Preston. People from the more affluent wards were far more likely to use the private sector than those from deprived wards. CONCLUSION: The private sector did not introduce any inequity of access to surgery within Preston at electoral ward level. However, in districts with higher levels of private sector activity significant differentials in access may exist.