There were more private hospital admissions in Scotland 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 50,000.
This is the fourth year in a row in which private hospital admissions have risen. An increasing proportion (57%) of these admissions were funded by private medical insurance which was at its highest level (28,000) since PHIN began collecting data.
Richard Wells, Director of Information at PHIN, said: “Our data shows that more and more people in Scotland 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. There are also three diagnostic procedures in the Top 10 for admissions. This suggests an increasing number of people are using the private sector to find out what, if anything, is wrong with them. They may then choose to go to the NHS for treatment or continue with private treatment.”
“An increasing number of patients are using private medical insurance to fund their procedure. The gap between this funding method and self-pay was at its largest since before the pandemic. This could be due to people planning for their health more by taking out insurance, or the increasing number of employers offering medical insurance as one of their perks.”
“Our 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 Scotland who can help them.”
More consultants than ever before working in private sector
The number of active consultants in Scotland in 2024 has increased over the past three years and 2024 was at the highest level ever recorded, reaching 560.
25% of private consultants (138) in Scotland work in ‘Orthopaedics’. This is more than any other specialty. However, the largest volume and percentage increase in active consultants in the top 10 procedure groups in 2024 was in ‘General surgery’ with an extra 20 consultants (25%). There were 100 consultants working in general surgery, about 18% of the total consultants working in the private sector in Scotland.
“The increase in the number of available consultants means improved choice for those patients in Scotland who opt to have diagnostic tests or treatment in the private sector.”
