Private healthcare in the UK is growing rapidly. Demand continues to rise, new clinics are opening, and more patients are choosing private treatment to access care sooner.
Behind this growth are some significant market trends that every private healthcare provider should understand. They highlight not only the opportunities ahead, but also the increasing competition for patients.
We analysed these figures as part of Patient Pulse 2025, our study of marketing in UK private healthcare. Here’s what they reveal.
The numbers behind the growth
- The UK private healthcare market was worth £12.4 billion in 2023, including £6.8 billion from private acute hospitals and £4.9 billion from independent clinics and practitioners.
- The NHS elective waiting list peaked at 7.77 million treatment pathways in September 2023, representing an estimated 6.5 million people waiting for treatment.
- 4.68 million people held private medical insurance by the end of 2023, covering around 8 million people covered when dependants are included. Most policies were funded through employers.
Demand for self-pay treatment is also increasing. For example, privately funded hip replacements nearly doubled, rising from 17,000 in 2019 to 30,000 in 2022.
What’s driving growth?
Several factors are contributing to the continued growth of private healthcare in the UK.
NHS waiting times remain a key driver. Record waiting lists and ongoing workforce pressures are encouraging more patients to consider private treatment.
Demographics also play a role. Demand is strongest in older, more affluent areas, with London accounting for around 18% of purely private clinics and hospitals.
Payment models are changing. Employers continue to drive growth in private medical insurance, while younger patients are increasingly choosing to self-fund treatment. Among 20–39-year-olds, 44% say they would pay privately to avoid NHS delays.
Patients are researching providers more carefully. Self-paying patients often compare clinics online, looking at factors such as pricing, experience, reputation and patient reviews before making a decision.
What it means for clinics
A growing market creates new opportunities, but it also brings more competition. With 515 private hospitals and more than 32,000 specialist practices across the UK, it’s becoming increasingly important for clinics to stand out.
Our research suggests that many clinics still rely heavily on referrals and word of mouth, while prospective patients are increasingly researching and comparing providers online before making a decision. We explore this in more detail in our article, Private Healthcare is Booming. So Why is Most of it Marketing Like It’s 2015?
The clinics that are best placed for future growth will be those that are easy to find, provide clear and trustworthy information, and make it simple for patients to take the next step. That means building visibility in Google today while preparing for the growing influence of AI-powered search. Our article 98.6% of Private Healthcare Websites Aren’t Ready for AI Search. Here’s What That Means for Your Clinic explains why this is becoming increasingly important.
Where to start
The private healthcare market continues to grow, but so does the competition for new patients. Understanding how people research and choose healthcare providers is an important first step.
Read the full Patient Pulse 2025 report for a detailed look at the latest trends, or book a call to discuss how your clinic can strengthen its visibility and attract more of the right patients.
This article draws on Patient Pulse 2025, Figment’s original research into marketing in UK private healthcare. Sources include LaingBuisson, ABI, YouGov, The Health Foundation and ONS data.
More from Patient Pulse 2025
- Marketing like it’s 2015
- Are clinics ready for AI search?
- The CRM gap
- Read the full Patient Pulse 2025 report »
Book a free, no-obligation review of your clinic’s online presence »
