Research by The Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) has shown a significant increase in people self-paying for private medical treatment as NHS treatment continues to face delays.

According to the research, there were 69,000 self-pay admissions for the latest reported quarter, a 39 per cent rise compared to the same quarter in 2019.

Certain surgeries are leading the trend, with self-pay cataract surgery up to 12,700 self-paying admissions, an increase of 56 per cent. Self-pay hip and knee replacements saw an increase of 141 per cent and 111 per cent respectively.

Experts have said this shows how desperate people have become waiting for NHS treatment.

Patient watchdog Healthwatch England said waits for treatment were one of the most commonly flagged patient concerns, and warned the situation risked "widening health inequalities".

Chief executive Louise Ansari said that especially with the cost of living crisis, for most people, going private "simply isn't an option".

"People on the lowest incomes are the most likely to wait the longest for NHS treatment. This leads to a worse impact on their physical health, mental health and ability to work and care for loved ones."

Jonathon Holmes, of the King's Fund health think tank, called the figures "worrying".

"The risk is we're left with a two-tier system where some people have to wait too long for care and others feel forced to bust the bank to get the care they need."