The number of reported admissions at Scotland’s private hospitals fell in January to March (Q1) 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to the latest figures from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) – the independent, not-for-profit organisation that reports on the UK’s private clinics, hospitals and consultants.

There were 13,385 private admissions in Scotland in the quarter, down 170 (1.3%) on Q1 in 2025. The reduction came from a decline in insurance funded admissions and among older patients. All but one age group (80 to 89) over 40 recorded a reduction in admissions.

However, it’s a different story for those in younger age groups. There were increased admissions for 10-19, 20-19 and 30-39 year olds, although these groups still have smaller numbers of admissions than over 40s.

Self-pay (where people use their savings or loans) admissions increased to 6,205 (6.6%) to reach the highest ever total for that period of the year.

Cataract surgery remained the most popular procedure (2,360 admissions) and was nearly four times more common than hip replacement surgery (635) in second place. Cataract surgery had a 5.4% increase in admissions compared to Q1 2025, whereas Hip replacement surgery had a 6.6% reduction.

Richard Wells, PHIN’s Director of Technology and Insights, said: “Private admissions in Scotland remain high, but there was a decline in the opening months of 2026. Older patients who use insurance are the more traditional side of the private healthcare market, but it seems in Scotland this practice may be being reversed with increasing use by young people and more self-pay. This potentially reflects growing acceptance and accessibility of private healthcare among younger people, who are more used to ‘on demand’ services and less willing to wait.

“Following a record year in 2025 for private admissions in Scotland, there is not enough data to tell if the apparent slowdown in the use of private healthcare at the beginning of this year is the start of a trend. There were several significant worldwide events during this period which are likely to have impacted admissions, including the war in Iran and a global shortage of medical bone cement which led to temporary elective surgery delays across the UK.

There was a 0.9% increase in admissions in England – where most private activity occurs – in Q1 2026, but declines in each of the devolved nations.