Younger adults are most open to a two-tier healthcare system

New research by Benenden Health shows that 18–34-year-olds are leading the way in using private healthcare services.

11 March 2026, by Megan Anderson.

Younger adults are reshaping the UK’s healthcare expectations as confidence in the NHS diverges from growing openness to private healthcare options, according to new research from notforprofit provider Benenden Health. For members, this shift signals a rising demand for flexible, affordable ways to access timely care, with younger adults increasingly looking for private healthcare solutions that complement NHS services.

The research shows that nearly half of 18–34yearolds (51%) have already used or would consider using a health and wellbeing membership, which is a clear indication of changing expectations around choice and accessibility.

The findings also reveal a generational shift in how people approach their health needs, with 18–34yearolds reporting higher confidence in the NHS than older groups, while simultaneously being the most likely to consider private healthcare products and services.

The research shows that over a third (34%) of younger adults believe the NHS can meet all their health needs, compared with 22% of those aged 35–54 and 29% of those aged 55 and over. Yet this same group is also the most open to exploring private healthcare, with 51% finding private health cover appealing and 50% saying they would consider using the private sector if NHS waiting times were long.

This contrasts sharply with older adults, who are more likely to rely on the NHS first but less likely to explore private alternatives. Just 14% of over55s say they would prefer to use the private sector for their health needs, compared with 32% of younger adults.

These findings highlight a new generation of healthcare consumers who are more proactive, more flexible, and more willing to mix NHS and private options to get timely care.

Benenden Health, which supported its members’ health and wellbeing needs 173,179 times in 2025, continues to see strong demand for accessible, affordable healthcare across all age groups. With over 875,000 members nationwide, it remains the UK’s largest private healthcare provider by number of lives covered.

In 2025, Benenden Health delivered 64,860 24/7 GP appointments, 68,912 diagnostic services, 30,547 physiotherapy appointments, and 7,549 calls to its 24/7 Mental Health Helpline. The organisation also expanded its holistic wellbeing services, including its Neurodiversity and Care Support Service and new digital tools such as app-based skin cancer detection and eye health checks.

These developments reflect the evolving expectations of younger adults, who place increasing value on convenience, early intervention, and digital-first support.

Tom Woolgrove, CEO of Benenden Health, said: “Younger adults are redefining what they expect from healthcare in the UK. They continue to value the NHS deeply, but they’re also more open to complementing it with private options that offer speed, convenience and proactive support. This generation is signalling a shift towards a more blended model of care, where people feel empowered to choose the route that quickly and easily gets them help when they need it.

“As a notforprofit healthcare mutual, we’re committed to meeting these changing expectations from young or old members alike. Our focus on accessible diagnostics, 24/7 GP access, mental health support and innovative digital tools reflect the needs of all generations who want healthcare that fits around their lives. We’ll continue to evolve our services to ensure we remain affordable, relevant and ready for the future.

“We strongly believe a blended private-NHS partnership model, leveraging the strengths of different healthcare providers, will best meet the needs of the UK population, and can materially improve current waiting list performance.”

Benenden Health continues to rank as the most trusted private healthcare provider on Trustpilot, with a score of 4.6/5, and maintains consistently strong member satisfaction, scoring 8.5/10 in its most recent survey.