Image of person receiving private medical surgery in the UK
Table of Contents

Private hospital price list - a guide to private medical treatment costs in the UK

By
Chris Steele - Private health and protection insurance expert and editor
Chris Steele
Private health and protection insurance expert and editor
Chris Steele is myTribe’s resident expert in private health insurance and healthcare, with over a decade of experience in the field. As a Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) qualified professional, he has helped countless consumers navigate private medical insurance. Regularly quoted by national media, Chris is a trusted voice in the UK insurance industry, with his insights featured in leading consumer finance publications.
Chris Steele
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Updated on
Sep 30, 2024

In this guide to private hospital prices, we detail the average cost of many of the most common surgeries to help you better understand how much treatment costs.

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How much does treatment cost, and what are the waiting times?

If you're considering private surgery, the two inevitable questions are how much private medical treatment costs and what the waiting times are like.

In this guide, we focus on answering the first question about costs. However, to give you an idea of waiting times, there are private hospitals that can typically start your surgery in as little as 4-6 weeks.

What's the difference between private surgery and NHS treatment?

There are several differences between having your surgery performed in a private hospital vs. via the NHS. In short, these are:

  • You have to pay for private medical treatment.
  • Waiting times are typically much shorter in private hospitals.
  • You'll get a private room while you're in a private hospital.
  • Private healthcare gives you more choice over who, where and when your medical procedures take place.
3 question marks

Can private health insurance pay for my treatment?

If you had private health insurance before experiencing symptoms or were diagnosed with a medical condition, then yes, you could claim. Your insurer will pay for your surgery in a private hospital, assuming you have the appropriate cover levels.

If you don't have health insurance and you're currently awaiting treatment or stuck on a waiting list, you can't take out a private health insurance policy and have it pay for your treatment. Pre-existing conditions, typically those you've experienced in the past five years, will be excluded, so health insurance will be of little help for your current condition.

Graphic of woman in hospital bed with the caption "Private Hospital Price List - How much does private surgery cost in the UK"

How much does private surgery cost in the UK?

In August 2024, our team of private healthcare researchers obtained pricing from 35 leading private hospitals around the UK for 27 of the most common surgical procedures. All of those sampled offered fixed-price surgery, which includes your initial consultation, hospital stay, consultant fees, and anaesthetist fees at a minimum.

2024 Private Hospital Price List (the average cost of treatment)

The table below shows the average cost of some of the UK's most common private medical treatments.

Private Medical Treatment Costs in the UK Average cost of various private medical treatments
Private Medical Treatment Average Cost ▲
Abdominal Hysterectomy £8,497
ACL Reconstruction £7,612
Adult Circumcision £2,581
Ankle Arthroscopy £5,726
Breast Enlargement £6,534
Breast Reduction £7,904
Bunion Surgery £5,260
Carpal Tunnel Release £2,412
Cataract Surgery £2,953
Colonoscopy £2,364
Ear Pinning (both ears) £4,364
Gall Bladder Removal £6,699
Gastroscopy £1,849
Hernia Repair £3,518
Hip Replacement £14,412
Knee Arthroscopy £4,433
Knee Replacement £15,014
Liposuction (complex) £5,305
Lumbar Decompression £9,769
Prostate Resection £7,362
Repair of Prolapsed Vagina £6,319
Shoulder Replacement £13,152
Slipped Disc Removal £8,613
Tonsillectomy £3,130
Tummy Tuck £7,615
Varicose Vein Stripping (one leg) £3,466
Vasectomy Reversal £3,551
Wisdom Tooth Removal £2,451

Source: myTribe 2024 Private Surgery Research

As you can see, treatment prices vary greatly depending on the complexity of the procedure. You'll also find significant variation in prices between providers and in different parts of the country.

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Illustration of man going for a walk with his dog.
Illustration of man going for a walk with his dog.

What impacts the cost of private medical treatment?

Private healthcare costs in the UK are based upon several factors, including the treatment, the location of your private hospital and the consultant's rates. This section details many of the elements that will affect your private treatment cost.

The hospital's location:

The private hospital's location will be a significant factor in the cost of treatment. While this may seem strange at first, many other costs, such as rent and even staffing costs, will be higher in certain places in the UK. For example, you can expect to pay at least 10–20% more for private medical treatments in London.

The treatment:

As you would expect, the actual treatment required will play a significant role in determining the cost. For instance, removing wisdom teeth is usually far more straightforward than total hip replacement surgery.

Medical equipment costs:

Private healthcare providers continually invest in new equipment, and the cost of that equipment tends to increase over time. To be a leading provider, you need the latest equipment and the ability to offer cutting-edge treatments.

Medicines:

Similarly to equipment, private hospitals need to buy medicines, and the cost of some of the newest ones developed will be expensive. Medication plays a vital role in treatment and recovery, so the private healthcare system needs access to the best available.

Consultant fees:

As consultants gain experience, their prices will rise. There will be a "going rate" for each type of specialist, and if there's a shortage of a specific skill set, the cost will increase.

Staffing costs:

Staff at private hospitals, from nurses to cleaners, need to be paid, and again, these costs tend to rise with inflation over time.

Commercial property rent, business rates and utilities:

Hospitals often have large buildings in prominent positions in towns and cities, and the costs are high. The closer you get to London, the more expensive it is to have property, which is one of the reasons it costs more to be treated in the capital.

Insurance:

Providing medical treatment as a service comes with significant risk, so you can be sure that the hospitals will have costly insurance policies to provide them with some protection should problems occur.

Information technology:

Modern businesses rely heavily upon computers, mobile phones and other technology; private hospitals are no different.

Profit margins:

While some private healthcare providers are not for profit, others are profit-making businesses that must create value for shareholders yearly.

What is the typical process for private surgery?

Depending on the medical procedure you require and the private hospital you choose, the process will likely vary. However, broadly speaking, you can expect the following:

  1. Book an appointment. You don't always need a GP referral, and you can often self-refer by contacting a private hospital.
  2. Initial consultation. Choose a surgeon and attend an initial consultation. If necessary, they will arrange for further tests or scans.
  3. Schedule your surgery. Once you and your consultant agree on treatment, you'll be booked into surgery at a time and date that works for you.
  4. Pay for your treatment. In most cases, you'll need to pay for your medical procedure before it takes place.
  5. Prepare for surgery. Think about travel arrangements to and from the hospital and undergo pre-admission testing.
  6. Have your private medical treatment. Your surgeon or consultant will perform your treatment, and you'll spend as much time as needed in hospital.
  7. Aftercare. Some private hospitals will include aftercare in the cost of your treatment, but be sure to check that so you're aware of any additional fees.

What is fixed-price surgery?

Many private hospitals offer fixed-price surgery costs that typically cover the cost of hospital admission, consultant and anaesthetist fees, medical equipment and medicines, and nursing and aftercare. However, each hospital will include different things in its fixed-price surgery, so when choosing where to receive your treatment and comparing prices, pay close attention to what's included.

How to get more information about private medical treatment costs

The best way to get information about the cost of private medical treatments is to visit private hospitals' websites and get in touch with them. While there are many independent private hospitals in the UK, some of which we looked at to provide our average prices, several larger private healthcare groups might be a good starting point.

Top private healthcare providers in the UK:

Read more about the top private hospital groups in this guide.

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Speak to a private medical insurance provider

Private health insurance providers also allow people to self-pay for treatments via them, so you could speak to them about your treatment if you would prefer.

How can you pay for private surgery and treatments?

There are several ways you can pay for private treatment in the UK:

Private medical insurance

Private medical insurance covers the cost of private treatment of eligible conditions in return for paying a monthly premium. Private health insurance doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, so if you are currently suffering from something and looking for solutions, private medical insurance won't be it.

Self-Pay

As the name suggests, you fund your private medical treatments with self-pay. Unfortunately, given the current waiting lists on the NHS, many people feel the need to dip into savings or call upon friends and family to be treated sooner.

Medical Loan

Finally, if you don't have health insurance or the funds to pay straightaway for your treatment, you could look for a medical loan. All of the private hospitals work with credit brokers and offer you the ability to spread the cost of your treatment with a medical loan.

Our research methodology

In August 2024, myTribe's private healthcare researchers collected pricing for 27 common surgeries from 35 private hospitals around the UK. The pricing was for fixed-priced surgery, and the information was available on the hospitals' websites. Precisely what's included within each of the hospital's packages vary and the prices provided are averages and meant as examples only.

Sources:

Disclaimer: This information is general and what is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances. Please speak with a financial adviser or do your own research before making a decision.

This article was written by:
Chris Steele
Private health and protection insurance expert and editor

Chris Steele is myTribe’s resident expert in private health insurance and healthcare, with over a decade of experience in the field. As a Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) qualified professional, he has helped countless consumers navigate private medical insurance. Regularly quoted by national media, Chris is a trusted voice in the UK insurance industry, with his insights featured in leading consumer finance publications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to see a private medical consultant?

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On average, it costs around £195 to see a private medical consultant. To learn more about consultation fees, please read our recent guide.

How much does a private hysterectomy cost?

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The average cost of a private hysterectomy in the UK is £8,497 (September 2024).

However, prices vary significantly depending on where you live, with cities like London typically being more expensive.

How much does private knee replacement surgery cost?

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The UK's average cost of private knee replacement surgery is £15,014 (September 2024).

Your location will affect the price you pay, so please contact local private healthcare providers for accurate pricing.

How much does private hip replacement surgery cost?

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The average cost of private hip replacement surgery in the UK is currently £14,412 (September 2024).

The cost of private medical treatment varies depending on where you live and the consultant who performs your surgery, so please check with your local private health care providers.

How much does adult circumcision cost?

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The average cost of adult circumcision is currently £2,581 - based on quotes from 35 private hospitals across the UK in September 2024.

How much does private carpel tunnel surgery cost?

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How much does private cataract surgery cost?

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The average cost of private cataract surgery in the UK is £2,953 (September 2024).

How much does a private colonoscopy cost?

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The average cost of a private colonoscopy in the UK is £2,364 (Sepember 2024).

How much does private ear pinning surgery cost?

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The average cost of private ear pinning surgery for both ears is £4,364 (September 2024).

How much does private gall bladder removal surgery cost?

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On average, private gall bladder removal surgery costs £6,699 (September 2024).

How much does it cost for private bunion removal?

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The average cost for bunion removal privately is £5,260 (September 2024).

How much does a tummy tuck cost?

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The average cost of a tummy tuck in the UK is £7,615 (September 2024).

How much does a vasectomy cost?

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Vasectomy reversal surgery costs £3,496 in the UK (August 2024).

How much does vasectomy reversal surgery cost?

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Vasectomy reversal surgery costs £3,551 in the UK (September 2024).

How much does private shoulder replacement surgery cost?

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The average cost for private shoulder replacement surgery in the UK is £13,152 (September 2024).

How much does a private tonsillectomy cost?

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The average cost for a tonsillectomy privately is £3,130 (September 2024).

How much does it cost for private wisdom tooth removal?

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Private removal of wisdom teeth costs an average of £2,451 in the UK (September 2024).

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