The tenth edition of LaingBuisson’s Private Acute Healthcare UK Market Report provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the private acute market, now valued at £13.79 billion. The report reflects a market where insured activity is driving growth while self-pay demand has steadied.
The market is made up of:
- £7.21 billion market value of the independent acute hospitals market
- £5.73 billion market value of the independent clinics and privately practising doctors market segment
- £852 million of private patient revenues generated by NHS providers.
The total independent acute hospital market, including NHS Private Patient Units (PPUs), crossed £8 billion for the first time in 2024.
Featuring proprietary data, publicly accessible data and newly available 2025 in-year data from Healthcode, the report provides detailed market sizing, long-term trend analysis, extensive provider insights and an improved review and analysis of the clinics sector, which comprises 3,847 regulated health service providers. This edition offers visibility into regional performance, changes in payor mix, and shifts in procedure activity, such as the rise in therapeutics and the easing of cataract, hip and knee volumes. The report also explores the increasing influence of employer-funded PMI, the impact of NHS purchasing decisions, and the changing dynamics between independent hospitals, clinics and NHS PPUs.
In addition to broader market analysis, the report also highlights important policy changes, including the originally proposed in-year tariff changes affecting the ophthalmology sector. Now postponed to 2026/27, the report looks at what this means for private providers, who could potentially lose out on approximately £60 million from cataracts revenue. Insights like this can help prepare for future government changes.
With over 100 tables and figures, this edition is an essential resource for providers, investors, insurers and policymakers seeking clarity on the forces shaping the UK’s private acute healthcare market.
This report supports strategic planning and decision-making for:
- Private hospital groups
- Independent acute hospitals and clinics
- NHS Private Patient Units (PPUs)
- Private medical insurers and corporate PMI teams
- Healthcare investors, private equity firms and financial advisers
- Banks, lenders and financial institutions assessing sector performance
- Hospital group executives and commercial strategy teams
- Integrated Care Boards, Clinical Commissioning Groups and NHS commercial teams
- Consultant doctors and clinical leaders practising in the independent sector
- Embassies and organisations funding overseas patient care
- Legal advisers and regulatory consultants
- Diagnostics providers and dental clinics operating within the independent healthcare market
- Community health providers engaging with private acute partnerships
- Management consultants supporting healthcare clients
- Pharmaceutical companies and suppliers targeting private sector channels
- Government bodies, policymakers and health economists
- Investors and property consultants evaluating opportunities in the acute healthcare estate
- Healthcare market analysts and strategy teams
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