Increased public frustration could be behind the recent surge in National Health Service (NHS) related enquiries, a Private Medical Insurance (PMI) company has said.

Bournemouth based Health-on-Line also says that the rise in National Health Service NHS funding paying higher compensation claims is a contributing factor.

Latest study carried on behalf of the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) show that compensation paid to patients is estimated to be 10% of the NHS annual budget. The figures suggest a 30 per cent increase compared to last year.

Mike Dalby, director of online private medical insurance firm, Health-on-Line, today said: “It’s difficult to be certain but we have seen an increase in health insurance enquiries over recent months and we’re beginning to wonder whether this is due in part to the public’s increasing frustration with misdirected NHS funds.”

“This is a double blow for the public. Not only are funds which should be spent on patient care being diverted elsewhere but they are being diverted to pay for mistakes which could reoccur. There is no guarantee that we won’t see a similar increase in compensation paid next year, continually eating into the considerable funding the NHS receives for patient treatment.”

Dalby adds: “We question whether the increase in health insurance enquiries we’ve seen recently is down to an increase in public concern about the NHS and the services they receive.”