Private healthcare insurers have been making millions in profit from Lancashire patients after appointments were put on hold during the Covid-19 lockdown, new data has revealed.

There have been £2.28 million in health insurance payouts between lockdown on 23 March and 1 June compared to £8.12 million the same period last year – a drop of 72 per cent.

It its most recent study, hello-safe.co.uk revealed the numbers which shows how private healthcare insurers have been cashing in due to the pandemic. The biggest drop was in hospital payouts – just £381,000 in those 77 days compared to over £2 million the previous year.

It follows an enormous change in habits for people in Lancashire and elsewhere after the number of Covid-19 cases began to peak and the country entered lockdown, including the postponing of many hospital appointments and routine surgeries.

Health bosses in the county have highlighted their concerns about Covid-anxious patients who are putting off coming into hospital.