According to Health Service Journal, internal draft guidance from NHS England to healthcare trusts advise: "Trusts should continue to actively explore and develop opportunities to grow their external (non-NHS) income Private patient services continue to be a significant source of material opportunity in the NHS." Demand for private treatment has risen during the pandemic with provider Spires reporting income up 80% since 2019. The NHS waiting list for treatment is currently at 6 million and may reach 14 million before it starts to come down.