Percentage growth in admissions at the highest in the UK

The total number of reported admissions at Scotland’s private hospitals in 2025 was 3,045 above 2024 meaning that private sector admissions broke the Scottish record for the fifth consecutive year, according to the latest figures from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), the independent, government mandated body which promotes transparency in healthcare and informs patient choice.

There was a total of 54,000 admissions reported by Scotland’s 16 private hospitals in 2025, which was a 6% increase on the number in 2024. The number of patient admissions paid for using private medical insurance (PMI) were up 5% and self-pay (those opting to fund their own admission for a surgical or diagnostic procedure through savings or a loan) were up 7%. Both were at the highest levels ever.

Quarter 1 (Jan-Mar) 2025 set a record for the number of admissions which was then beaten by Quarter 4 (Oct-Dec). Scotland is unique among the UK nations in regularly having higher admission figures at the end of the year. Quarter 1 is the highest in the other nations.

Although it did not have the largest volume increase, Scotland had the largest percentage increase of all the UK nations in 2025.

‘Cataract surgery’ remains the most common reason to be admitted to a private hospital, with 690 more reported admissions (an increase of 8.1%) than 2024.

There was an increase in admissions in all age groups, compared to 2024, except 0-9 year olds. The largest volume increase was in the 60 to 69 age group (890). Both the 60 to 69 and 40 to 49 age groups had a 9% increase.

Richard Wells, Director of Technology and Insights at PHIN said: “Private hospital admissions in Scotland continue to increase year-on-year. This shows the importance some patients place on the choice offered by the private sector. The total number of admissions still represents less than 1% of the population in Scotland, with the majority of people still being treated by the NHS.

“Both private medical insurance and self-pay admissions were at record levels. Our data shows though that there are distinct differences between the type of procedures people have, depending on how it is being funded.

“‘Cataract surgery’ is the most popular procedure for either payment method.

“However, there are four procedures that only appear in the PMI funded Top 10. Two of these are known as ‘scopes’. They are ‘Hysteroscopy – diagnostic’ (a gynaecology scope) and ‘Colonoscopy – therapeutic’ (a gastroenterology scope). The other two are ‘Chemotherapy’ and ‘Gallbladder surgery'.

“For self-pay the four different procedures are ‘Inguinal hernia repair’ and three cosmetic surgeries: ‘Breast enlargement’, ‘Breast reduction’ and ‘Eyelift- blepharoplasty’. Cosmetic surgeries are not usually covered by the NHS or private medical insurance, so self-pay in the private sector is the only option.”

“This diversity demonstrates the role the private sector plays in facilitating patient choice in terms of the procedures they have, where they have them and how they are paid for. Our UK government-backed, independent website (www.phin.org.uk) is here to help patients understand the choices available to them.”