Top News

British military personnel are being left "languishing" on NHS waiting lists, prompting defence chiefs to spend tens of thousands of pounds on private healthcare each month. Shocking new figures revealed by the Express show the RAF has forked out nearly £1 million since last summer to get airmen and airwomen back ready for frontline duties.

Former defence minister and nurse Sarah Atherton warned of a "two-tier system" healthcare system emerging in the military as personnel are having to go private because the NHS "isn't delivering". "This is no longer just a health issue - it's a national security issue," she added. The Chief of the Air Staff's Welfare Fund was launched in June last year to counter long NHS backlogs for personnel requiring essential treatment, despite ministers and the health service reporting that waiting lists have been slashed.

The scheme is designed to get personnel back fighting fit as soon as possible, meaning they are ready to deploy on operations.

Since its launch in 2025, 268 personnel have used the fund to receive private healthcare.

By the end of the financial year on April 5, £959,329.50 had been allocated to the scheme - meaning that, on average, each treatment has cost around £3,580.

Sources said the scheme has been deemed successful and improved deployability.

The Navy has followed suit by launching its own version of the programme in November, while the Army is also preparing to set up a similar scheme later this year, the Express understands.

Ms Atherton said expanding private healthcare across the military is a "pragmatic step to protect frontline readiness", adding: "But it is a tactical fix, not a strategic solution."

She said: "However, not all personnel can access it. Many remain languishing on NHS waiting lists, creating a two-tier system within the Armed Forces. Some receive private treatment, and others don't, not by design but because the NHS isn't delivering.

"This exposes a failure to join up defence and health planning. The UK's operational capability now depends on a civilian system that is not meeting demand.

"We should seriously consider reinstating a military hospital to train medics, treat personnel quickly and support families and veterans, where capacity allows.

"This isn't just about readiness; it's about retention. If we don't look after our people, they will leave.

"If our armed forces have to bypass the NHS to stay operational, the Government's claims on waiting lists don't stack up. This is no longer just a health issue - it's a national security issue."

The former minister warned there is a "growing problem" of military personnel being left unfit for deployment due to delays on NHS waiting lists.

"It's already affecting key roles, including fast jet pilots," she added.

Craig Penrice, a former RAF fighter pilot, said: "If you've got a fighter pilot or any pilot who's not able to do his primary job because he's sick, that's going to cost you or interrupt your operations for sure.

"If that can't be rectified by swift action within the NHS, it makes perfect sense to me to get quicker appointments, quicker treatment and a quicker return to the cockpit for your very valuable asset - and it's not just aircrew in that, it's all the roles."

He added: "It's also a concern they're having to do this because manpower has shrunk so far, and obviously they're willing to spend money to fix a problem."

Under the RAF scheme, personnel must apply for funding to cover private care costs.

Access to the funds is determined by clinical and occupational criteria.

It is understood that those waiting more than 18 weeks for surgical procedures can apply.

An RAF loadmaster, who was facing medical retirement due to osteoarthritis, was able to continue his 41-year career after undergoing a knee replacement worth almost £16,000 at a private clinic.

He had to wait two years for his other knee to be replaced on the NHS.

The scheme, launched as a trial and now extended, has covered a range of treatments.

This has included rapid referrals for scans and allergy testing for new recruits who were previously unaware they had a condition.

Another example is an RAF specialist who was able to deploy at short notice after the scheme funded a £250 consultation.

They had previously been deemed medically unfit while awaiting an NHS appointment.

It comes as the Labour Government has hailed its progress in reducing NHS backlogs.

In February, the NHS said the waiting list for treatment in England hospitals was at its lowest in nearly three years.

An RAF spokesperson said: "Defence Medical Services and the NHS are the primary providers of the fantastic care that our personnel receive.

"The Chief of the Air Staff's Welfare Fund is a trial for reducing the number of personnel who are medically non-deployable, providing swifter medical assessments and treatments for targeted RAF personnel and recruits. The fund has offered significant immediate benefits to our personnel, enabling them to progress onto deployed operations or continue with their work or training.

"By enabling timely clinical interventions, the fund has allowed our medical teams to make informed decisions, safeguarding operational capability, reducing training delays and in turn boosting morale through high-quality healthcare."

An NHS spokesperson said: "The NHS delivered record numbers of treatments, tests and appointments in 2025, helping to cut the waiting list to its lowest level in three years and reduce 18-week waits to levels last seen in 2022.

"The Armed Forces Covenant commits the NHS to supporting the armed forces community - including patients, staff, reservists, veterans and their families - so they are not disadvantaged and can access the care they need, with support also available through a dedicated national Armed Forces team."

The Navy, Army and Department of Health and Social Care were all contacted for comment.