The private sector delivered 318,070 cancer admissions between January 2022 and June 2025, according to a report from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN).
The report reveals admissions remained consistent with around 92,000 in 2022, 89,000 in 2023, and 92,000 in 2024, and ranged between 20,700 and 23,800 between Q1 2022 and Q2 2025.
Payment methods
In terms of paying methods for private cancer treatment, the vast majority (93%) used private medical insurance to fund their procedure. PHIN noted the split between payment methods for all admission types is usually in the range of 70% insurance and 30% self-pay.
Breast cancer is most common procedure
Breast cancer remained the most common reason for a cancer-related procedure, though admissions in this group declined slightly.
Urological and haematological (blood) cancers were the next most prevalent.
‘Other’ cancers, including secondary and overlapping sites (tumours that cannot be classified as belonging solely to one specific part of the body), showed the biggest increase in admissions during this period.
Middle aged account for highest number of admissions
In terms of age, people in their 50s saw the highest number of private cancer admissions.
But admissions among those aged 40–49 has increased the most in recent years, while the 70–79 group saw a slight decline.
There was also a significant gender split as female patients made up 62% of cancer admissions.
Large growth in admissions in London
London, the South East, and the East of England remained the top three regions for private cancer care activity, reflecting the concentration of private hospitals there. London saw the largest absolute growth in cancer admissions (up 5,385 from 2022 to 2024), while the South East has experienced the most significant decline (down 4,905).
Northern Ireland was the only devolved nation to record an increase in admissions (up 130) during the period analysed.
HCA leading the way
When it comes to who is providing treatment, HCA Healthcare UK leads the sector in cancer admissions, followed by Spire Healthcare and Nuffield Health. PHIN further noted that the market is concentrated among a few major provider groups, with new facilities set to increase capacity and choice, particularly in London.
Sector strength and stability
Richard Wells, director of technology and Insights PHIN, said: “We are independent and not-for-profit with a remit to improve understanding of the role the private sector plays in healthcare in the UK and to help patients make more informed decisions.
“Our latest report underscores the ongoing strength and stability of private sector cancer care. With hundreds of thousands of admissions, robust treatment options, and a strong provider landscape, independent hospitals continue to offer valuable capacity and choice for cancer patients across the country.
“The figures are not directly comparable, but over 336,000 people[1] received treatment for cancer from NHS England between December 2022 and November 2023, compared to the average of 91,000 admissions a year in the private sector.
“While breast cancer admissions have seen a modest decline, the overall profile of admissions and treatments highlights the sector’s ongoing capacity to meet patient needs, particularly in London and among the major provider groups.”
Pivotal role
David Hare, chief executive at the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), said: “These latest figures show the pivotal role that independent providers are playing in delivering high quality cancer treatment to patients up and down the country.
“Our own ‘Going Private’ research shows an increasing openness amongst all parts of society to using private healthcare, with 7 in 10 people saying they’d now consider paying for treatment.
“The research also found that 88% of people who’d used private healthcare – either using insurance or self-paying – said that their treatment was worth the money.
“And with the UK being home to some of the world’s most innovative cancer care – more and more patients are now able to benefit from the high quality, personalised treatment the sector offers which is so valued as part of their cancer journey.”
