Private healthcare is playing an increasingly important role in the UK healthcare landscape, with private admissions reaching close to one million procedures by the end of 2025. Yet despite growing awareness and use of private healthcare, many people still lack confidence in knowing how to navigate it.

PHIN's latest report explores what patients need from information about private healthcare, drawing on surveys of more than 2,000 UK adults, patient research and website insights. It examines how people research private healthcare, which information sources they trust, and the barriers that can make decision-making more difficult.

The report identifies opportunities for healthcare providers, professionals and the wider sector to improve how information is presented, signposted and used to help patients make informed choices.

Download the full report

Key findings

  • 77% of UK adults are open to using private healthcare.
  • 28% of those who would research private healthcare before using it say they wouldn't know where to start.
  • 26% feel very confident in organising and using private healthcare.
  • 29% feel it is easy to make decisions without access to trusted information.
  • 82% would consider using information provided by PHIN once its role has been explained.
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