NHS Hospitals Treating More Private Patients Despite Public Waiting Lists

Across England’s hospitals, a concerning trend is emerging that could affect how quickly you get the NHS care you need. Private patient cases at some NHS hospitals have accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, even as millions of publicly funded patients remain stuck on waiting lists.

The BMJ has revealed this growing pattern through analysis of NHS England data, raising questions about whether hospitals are choosing profit over public need.

The Numbers Behind the Concern

The figures paint a stark picture of priorities during the health service’s most challenging period. NHS England paid private hospitals around £2 billion in the first pandemic year alone, yet only 30 of 200 contracted private hospitals actually treated COVID-19 patients in April 2020.

That represents just 0.62% of private sector contracted beds being used for coronavirus patients during the peak crisis period. Meanwhile, private hospitals like Nuffield continued treating 64% private patients, while Spire handled 62% private episodes despite receiving sizeable NHS funding.

The contrast becomes even sharper when you consider the current state of public healthcare. National elective waiting lists have swollen to 7.6 million people by the end of 2024, yet private patient admissions have steadily rebounded from pandemic lows.

Two Sides of the Debate

NHS England maintains that private patient income helps cross-subsidise NHS services and can actually reduce waiting lists overall. The argument goes that additional revenue allows hospitals to invest in better facilities and equipment that benefit all patients.

But critics aren’t convinced. Think tanks analysing the BMJ data have raised concerns that hospitals may be prioritising lucrative private cases over NHS patients who’ve been waiting months or even years for treatment.

Healthcare professionals point to a different problem entirely – staff shortages that limit capacity regardless of who’s paying the bills.

The Pandemic’s Mixed Legacy

In March 2020, NHS England contracted the entire capacity of 200 private hospitals, securing 8,000 beds and 1,200 ventilators to support NHS care. It seemed like a masterstroke of public-private cooperation during a national emergency.

Yet the reality proved more complex. Private patient admissions dropped to 8,400 in May 2020 but bounced back to about half of 2019 levels by July 2020. The rebound has continued steadily, above all in profitable areas like trauma and orthopaedics.

NHS use of private hospitals did rise post-pandemic but has recently declined, with drops of 5.9% in October and 6.6% in November 2024.

What Happens Next

The debate reflects deeper questions about the future of healthcare in England. As waiting lists continue growing and private healthcare becomes more attractive to those who can afford it, the pressure on NHS hospitals to balance public duty with financial sustainability will only increase.

The BMJ investigation suggests this isn’t just about individual hospital decisions – it’s about the fundamental structure of how we fund and deliver healthcare in this country.

Key Takeaways

• Private patient cases at some NHS hospitals have accelerated since COVID-19 despite public waiting lists reaching 7.6 million
• NHS England paid private hospitals £2 billion in the first pandemic year, but only 30 of 200 contracted hospitals treated COVID patients in April 2020
• Think tanks warn hospitals may be prioritising profitable private patients over NHS cases, though officials argue private income helps fund public services

What This Means for Kent Residents

Kent residents face the same national NHS waiting lists, with local trusts like East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust balancing private patient income against public delays. If you’re waiting for NHS treatment, check the My Planned Care portal or call NHS 111 for current waiting times in your area. Those considering private healthcare should be aware that costs have risen since the pandemic rebound, and you can contact your insurer or local private hospitals directly for current pricing – but remember that choosing private care means someone else moves up the NHS list in your place.