Private healthcare admissions in Scotland hit record levels

The number of private healthcare admissions in Scotland has hit record levels for a fifth consecutive year, figures show.

Statistics released by the Private Healthcare Information Network (Phin) show about 54,000 admissions to private settings in 2025, an increase of 6%.

Some 29,470 people were admitted using their private medical insurance, an increase of 5%.

The number of people paying to go private increased by 7%.

Scotland saw the sharpest increase in private healthcare use in the UK, with Wales increasing by 1.8%, England by 0.6% and Northern Ireland reducing by 4.8% between 2024 and 2025.

Cataract surgery was the most popular procedure for those going private, with more than 9,000 people seeking treatment last year, 7,335 of those self-funding their procedures.

Hip replacements, endoscopies, colonoscopies and knee arthroscopy made up the top five procedures.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “These damning statistics show John Swinney and the SNP have let a two-tier healthcare system take hold in Scotland.

“Record numbers of Scots are being forced to spend their savings on basic care, while others have no choice but to languish on endless NHS waiting lists.

“With the future of our NHS on the line, we cannot afford another five years of SNP failure.

“John Swinney and the SNP must end the creeping privatisation of our NHS and deliver an NHS that is there for people when they need it.”

Scottish Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said the statistics should be a “source of shame” for ministers.

“John Swinney broke his promise to eradicate year-long waits in Scotland’s NHS by the end of March – forcing more and more patients to raid their lifesavings and go private, while those who can’t afford this option are left to suffer in pain,” he said.

“SNP ministers cannot ignore this crisis a second longer. John Swinney must back our bold plan to slash bureaucracy, reduce the number of middle managers and surge resources to the frontline to get waiting lists down.”

Richard Wells, the 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.

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.