The latest figures from the Private Healthcare Information Network show that admissions continue to rise, with chemotherapy at an all-time high.
The latest figures from non-profit organisation the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) show there was a 1% year-on-year rise in the number of reported admissions at the UK’s private hospitals in the third quarter last year.
Although small, it was the highest total ever for that time of year and was driven by patients in the 50-to-59 age group.
Private medical insurance remained the preferred payment method, and the number of admissions funded this way increased by 1% and was at a record level for the period. Self-pay remained steady and makes up just under a third of all admissions.
For the first time ever, there were more admissions (19,910) for chemotherapy than for any other procedure. Cataract admissions (19,075) came a close second. The next two highest admissions were for diagnostic tests (Upper GI endoscopy 10,390 and colonoscopy 9,160).
“Our latest data shows that although growth has slowed slightly from previous periods, there continues to be an appetite for using the private healthcare sector for diagnostic tests and treatment,” said Richard Wells, PHIN’s director of technology and insights.
Decline in weight-loss surgery
Wells emphasised the popularity of the private sector for patients with cancer. “Therefore, it is no surprise to see the growth in the use of private care for chemotherapy in the latest data,” he said.
Despite the overall rise in admissions, there was a decline in weight-loss surgeries during the period. Admissions for gastric balloons and gastrectomies were both down 72%.
“We are also seeing a decline in the popularity of weight-loss surgeries as people turn to the popular jabs like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) instead,” said Wells.
“There are seasonal variations throughout the year, with Q3 normally being the lowest period. Although that appears to be the case again in 2025, there were the highest number of admissions we’ve ever seen for this period,” he continued. “We have been seeing a greater variety in the type of procedures people go private for some time. Chemotherapy and diagnostic tests have become much more prevalent, whereas the traditional top three of cataracts, hip replacements and knee replacements are no longer dominant,” he added.
PHIN’s data also shows that the proportion of total admissions in England which were in a private setting remained at 6%. NHS-funded procedures taking place in private hospitals also remained steady at 5% of the total admissions. The majority of admissions remained ‘NHS Hospital, NHS Funded’, which was at 88%.
