International patient admissions for private medical treatment and diagnosis in the UK have soared by nearly 800% since 2016, data from from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) indicates.
It shows there were 10,640 admissions reported for non-UK patients in 2023 alone, up from around 1,200 in 2016, and the Middle East has become a major source of demand.
The largest single year-on-year increase of 144% perhaps unsurprisingly came between 2021 (3,305 admissions) and 2022 (8,075) when travel restrictions had been relaxed after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The private sector accounted for 20,980 (63%) of the elective admissions from 2016 to 2023 for non-UK patients, with NHS Private Patient Units (PPUs) responsible for the remaining 12,105 (37%).
Visitors from countries on the Arabian Peninsula made up 46% of private admissions for patients from outside the UK.
The most common treatments were therapeutic chemotherapy, diagnostic upper GI endoscopy, therapeutic drug therapy and therapeutic intravenous drug infusion. These were also high volume procedures for UK patients using private healthcare.
Middle East driving force
Dr Ian Gargan, chief executive of PHIN (pictured), said: “PHIN works to improve transparency in private healthcare to help patients make more informed decisions about their treatment and so that the sector can improve the services it provides.
“We work with the UK’s more than 650 private hospitals, including NHS PPUs, and the data they submit to us appears to show that patients, especially those from the Middle East, increasingly value the private healthcare sector in the UK. More and more are coming each year, leading to a record-breaking number in 2023.
“As well as ensuring these patients receive the care they need, the growing number of international patients allows private providers to maximise capacity, and brings a boost to the UK economy.
“Studies have shown a significant link between spending on healthcare and wider gross values added benefits. For those travelling for healthcare this could include spending on hotels, restaurants and retail, for example.”
When it came to patients considering treatment outside the UK, the data showed cost was the major factor, applicable for two-thirds of the patients who have travelled or were considering travelling outside the UK.
The most common reason to travel was for dental treatment and Türkiye was the most popular destination.
Dr Gargan continued: “When we hear about the medical tourism market, it’s probably more common for us to think about Brits going abroad for treatment, than to think of patients travelling to the UK. However, there is clearly a demand for treatment in the UK.
“In fact, new research we commissioned shows that 86% of respondents who’ve either had private treatment in the past three years or would consider it in the next three years, have not thought about going abroad and did or would remain in the UK for diagnosis and treatment.”