There were more private hospital admissions in Wales in 2024 than in any previous year on record, according to the latest data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) – the independent organisation which publishes information about the safety, quality and costs of private healthcare. Reported private hospital/clinic admissions were up 6% from 2023 to reach 32,000.
This is the fourth year in a row in which private hospital admissions have risen. Self-pay was at its highest level since PHIN began collecting data. 18,000 of these admissions were funded by self-pay (where the patient uses savings, or a loan) compared to 14,000 by private medical insurance. Wales remains the only country in the UK where this payment method is preferred to private medical insurance
Richard Wells, Director of Information at PHIN, said: “Our data shows that more and more people in Wales are turning to the private healthcare sector.
“Cataract surgery continues to be the most popular reason for being admitted to a private hospital as it is across the UK. This already popular procedure had a 19% rise in admissions in Wales. This was an increase of 1,505 admissions. There was also a large increase (400%) for surgical glaucoma treatment, which suggests people in Wales are prioritising their sight and opting to ‘go private’ to ensure their needs are met.
“Research shows that people often aren’t familiar with the private sector and anyone considering private treatment should visit our free to use, unbiased website – www.phin.org.uk – to find out more about how the private sector works, and the hospitals and consultants in Wales, or over the border in England, who can help them.”
Most consultants since before the pandemic working in private sector
The number of active consultants in the private sector in Wales has increased over the past three years and in 2024 there were more than in any year since the pandemic.
25% of private consultants (137) in Wales work in ‘Trauma and orthopaedics’. This is more than any other specialty. However, the largest volume increase in active consultants in the top 10 procedure groups in 2024 was in ‘General surgery’ with an extra 18 consultants. There were 91 consultants working in this specialty, about 25% of the total consultants working in the private sector in Wales.
“The increase in the number of available consultants means improved choice for those patients in Wales who opt to have diagnostic tests or treatment in the private sector.”
