The number of reported admissions at Wales' private hospitals fell in January to March (Q1) 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to the latest figures from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) – the independent, not-for-profit organisation that reports on the UK's private clinics, hospitals and consultants.
There were 7,675 private admissions in Wales in the quarter, down 380 (4.7%) on Q1 in 2025. The reduction came despite a 6.3% increase in insurance funded admissions. Since the Covid pandemic, Welsh patients have predominantly opted to self-pay (using savings or loans) for procedures, but the split between payment methods is now almost 50:50.
Across the rest of the UK, insurance is the most common way to fund admissions, but in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland there were decreases in Q1 2026 and increases in self-pay.
There were increases in overall admissions in Wales in all the age groups from 10 to 59, although these groups still have smaller numbers of admissions than the 60 to 69 and 70 to 79 groups.
Cataract surgery remained the most popular procedure (1,730 admissions), but there were 695 fewer admissions (-29%) compared to Q1 2025. The biggest growth in procedures was for Knee arthroscopy where there were 50 more, a 19% increase.
Richard Wells, PHIN's Director of Technology and Insights, said:
“Private admissions in Wales remain high, but there was a decline in the opening months of 2026. Older patients continue to be the biggest users of private healthcare, but there was growth across the younger age groups. Along with the increased use of medical insurance, this potentially reflects growing acceptance and accessibility of private healthcare among younger people, who are more used to ‘on demand' services and less willing to wait.
“Following a record year in 2025 for private admissions in Wales, there is not enough data to tell if the apparent slowdown in the use of private healthcare at the beginning of this year is the start of a trend. There were several significant worldwide events during this period which are likely to have impacted admissions, including the war in Iran.
There was a 0.9% increase in admissions in England – where most private activity occurs – in Q1 2026, but declines in each of the devolved nations.
