Recent research published in The Bulletin of the Royal College of Surgeons of England highlighted that female representation in the independent healthcare sector still lags significantly behind that of the NHS. While this is perhaps unsurprising given the historically male-dominated nature of the medical profession, there is an increasing expectation for greater gender parity within the field today.

Medical school admissions and graduation trends

To assess whether progress is being made, we’ve looked at medical school admissions, graduation statistics, and PHIN data regarding consultants primarily undertaking elective admissions. Looking at the number and gender of applicants to medical schools in the UK, as well as graduation and practising figures, there are promising signs of change:

  • In 2016 there were 17,040 medical school applicants. Of these, 60% were female and 40% male.
  • By 2024 the number had risen to 20,430.
  • The number of female applicants increased by 25.5%, while male applicants increased by 11.4%.
  • The proportion of female applicants grew to 63%, with males representing 37% of the total.
  • Graduation figures echoed this trend:
  • Between 2016 and 2024, approximately 35,000 women and 26,000 men graduated from medical school.
  • The number of female graduates rose by 57% from 3,561 in 2016 to 5,590 in 2024.
  • Male graduates also increased, though by a lesser margin of 27% (from 2,816 in 2016 to 3,583 in 2024).

Consultant gender distribution in the private sector

Despite the encouraging rise in female applicants and graduates, the overall gender breakdown among secondary care consultants in the private sector remains heavily skewed towards males.

In 2024, the ratio of male to female consultants stood at approximately 4:1, with around 8,000 male and 2,000 female consultants.

However, there are indications of change. Among consultants aged 30–50, the gender distribution is now nearly equal, although there are still more male consultants than female consultants in the over-50 age group.

Regional variations and specialities

London and the South East have the highest numbers of female consultants, which aligns with the concentration of private healthcare activity in these regions. Female consultants account for about 38% of consultants in London and 34% in the South East.

Among specialities, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Surgery, General Medicine, Ophthalmology, and Ear, Nose and Throat surgery are prominent for both genders. There are some differences, with Clinical Oncology and Paediatrics featuring more for female consultants, and Trauma and Orthopaedics, Urology, and Cardiology more for males.

This suggests that while patients may need to look further to find female consultants in some specialities, overall, gender should not significantly limit patient choice.

Comparison with NHS England and trends over time

In 2024, there were approximately 27,000 consultants primarily working on elective admissions within NHS England, with 66% being male. By comparison, the private sector saw a higher male proportion, with 80% of these consultants being male.

From 2018 to 2024, the percentage of female consultants increased by 4% in the NHS and by 2% in the private sector. The GMC register, which covers the whole of the UK, also recorded a 4-point rise in female consultants from 36% to 40% during this period. NHS England saw a steady increase in female secondary care consultants from 30% in 2018 to 34% in 2024.

Impact on patient choice and outcomes

Emerging research, including two studies published in the JAMA Surgery journal in August 2023, suggests there may be differences in surgical outcomes between male and female surgeons. As private healthcare usage grows in the UK, patients may increasingly request female surgeons based on these findings, potentially to improve post-operative results.

Conclusion

Analysis confirms that male consultants remain the majority across secondary care in the private sector, NHS England, and the UK-wide GMC register. Nonetheless, the number of female consultants has shown consistent growth across all settings in recent years.

Although the private sector still has a lower proportion of female consultants, this figure is rising. For instance, female consultants now comprise 21% of the private surgical consultant population.

Most female consultants practise in London and the South East, reflecting the geographic focus of private healthcare. With female medical school applications and graduations already surpassing male figures, more balanced gender ratios are emerging among consultants under 50 years old.

Private hospitals need to prepare for these developments in workforce composition, ensuring that patients have greater choice when selecting their care providers.

Data Sources

  • https://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/full/10.1308/rcsbull.2026.39
  • 2025 cycle applicant figures – 15 October deadline | Undergraduate | UCAS
  • UK graduates summary - GDE
  • JAMA - Surgeon Sex and Long-Term Postoperative Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Common Surgeries, August 2023
  • JAMA - Differences in Cholecystectomy Outcomes and Operating Time Between Male and Female Surgeons in Sweden, August 2023
  • The Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN): Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) data for privately funded hospital care in the UK
  • NHS England: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) for NHS-funded FCEs in England
  • General Medical Council (GMC): UK register of doctors

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