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This article is for general guidance only and is not financial or professional advice. Any links are for your own information, and do not constitute any form of recommendation by Saga. You should not solely rely on this information to make any decisions, and consider seeking independent professional advice. All figures and information in this article are correct at the time of publishing, but laws, entitlements, tax treatments and allowances may change in the future.
Whether you need a hip replacement or you’re on the waiting list for cataract surgery, paying for private treatment can help speed up your treatment and get you back living life to the full.
But the trade-off means it can also result in a chunky medical bill.
From finding the right consultant to understanding costs and payment options, it’s worth familiarising yourself with how the private system works. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to fast-track your care, including how to pay for it.
What’s on this page?
More people are turning to the private sector for treatment. Figures from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) show there were 247,000 private hospital and clinic admissions in the first quarter of 2026, the highest-ever figure covering three months.
Of these, 77,0000 were accounted for by people paying for their own treatment, a 7.7% increase on the figure from the same quarter a year earlier.
Part of this is down to NHS waiting lists. Although NHS England’s waiting lists have fallen since their high of 7.77 million in September 2023, the latest figures show there were still 7.27 million cases – covering round 6.15 million patients – on waiting lists.
Of these, approximately 106,000 had been waiting more than a year for treatment.
Public Health Scotland is also struggling with its waiting lists. At the end of July 2026, an estimated 588,825 people, roughly one in nine of the population, were waiting for at least one outpatient, inpatient or day-case appointment.
Adele Nelson, self-pay adviser at Nuffield Health, says: “Many patients are opting to pay privately to avoid prolonged delays for essential procedures. It also allows them to choose their preferred providers, schedule appointments at their convenience, and receive more personalised care.”
Circle Health Group has also seen more people looking to go private, including double digit growth in the number of over-50s accessing its services. “Many are viewing it as an investment in their long-term health, supporting them to work longer and to also enjoy their retirement when the time comes,” says Will Rowberry, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer.
If you’re worried about waiting or simply prefer to go private, a bit of research will help you find the right healthcare providers. The independent PHIN website lets you search for details on consultants and hospitals in your area.
Dr Chris Smith-Brown, clinical advisor at PHIN, suggests: “You should consider aspects such as whether the hospital or consultant you are looking at specialises in the type of treatment you are interested in, how experienced they are and their safety records.
‘Our website also contains information on patient satisfaction, number of admissions and regulator ratings as well as guides on private treatment.”
Getting the right treatment from the right consultant should be your priority, but price is likely to be a key consideration too.
How much you’ll pay varies massively, depending on factors such as the type of procedure, your health and the hospital’s location. As an example, figures from PHIN show that if you need cataract surgery, the fee for the procedure alone can vary from £900 to £2,799, before you even add in fees for the consultant, hospital and anaesthetist.
Given this variation in costs, Dr Smith-Brown says it’s important to double-check what’s covered before committing to any treatment. “Some hospitals display a package price covering the cost of your treatment but do check what’s included.
“One may include all the fees for tests, treatment, follow-up appointments, aftercare and physiotherapy while another hospital won’t. Always ask the hospital to confirm what’s included in writing before you book.”
For example, Nuffield Health’s self-pay packages are all-inclusive, covering all the fees relating to treatment and any after-care.
This includes pre-hospital admission tests and assessments; consultant choice and their fees; anaesthetist’s fees; take-home drugs; post-operative consultations and physiotherapy; and re-admission and treatment if required.
Doing this research can save you money, as well as some unpleasant financial surprises. But it can also be a great bargaining chip. Nuffield Health’s Nelson explains: “If you find an alternative private hospital within 15 miles of your chosen Nuffield Health hospital offering the same procedure on the same terms but at a better price, we’ll match it.”
Once you’ve found a consultant and hospital you like, the next step is to start your treatment journey. Circle Health’s Chris Rowberry suggests: “Begin by booking an appointment with your consultant. Initial consultations start at around £200, depending on the specialty. In most cases a GP referral won’t be required, although this may vary depending on medical history and the consultant and service you’re looking to access.”
When you make the appointment, it’s also a good idea to check whether the consultant will need to see any medical records, for example x-rays, scans or test results. You may be able to supply these, or the consultant may need to request them.
During the initial appointment, your consultant will discuss your condition, the type of treatment that’s most suitable and your post-operative recovery, if surgery is required. They’ll also refer you for any tests or scans that are needed.
You may be able to switch between NHS and private treatment to suit your needs and budget. What’s possible will depend on your circumstances and the policies of the hospitals and consultants involved.
As an example, you may decide to pay to have an initial consultation in the private sector to confirm a diagnosis and treatment plan and then ask your consultant to refer you back to the NHS for surgery.
Nuffield Health’s Adele Nelson says: “Your consultant will usually arrange the NHS treatment with the hospital trust. This is sometimes called ‘shared care’.”
Alternatively, you could start your treatment in the NHS and then pay to have the procedure done privately if there is a long waiting list. “You can choose to pay for private surgery or treatment, even if the referral originated from NHS care,” adds Nelson.
In some cases, you might find yourself receiving NHS healthcare in the private sector.
Under the NHS Choice Framework, in England you have a legal right to choose where you’re treated following a GP referral. This includes NHS hospitals, but also those in the private sector that provide services to the NHS.
You don’t have to stay local, especially if you could be treated more quickly in another part of the country. Your GP can help with this decision, especially where your health issues may make it preferable to be treated in an NHS facility with an emergency department.
Planning ahead helps when it comes to paying for private treatment. For example, Alan Barral, financial planner at Quilter, recommends building a dedicated cash pot as early as possible. “This should be on top of your emergency fund, which itself is ideally six months of essential expenses, so you’re not compromising your financial safety net,” he says.
If you have investments, cashing them in to pay for your healthcare is one option. As private healthcare bills can be chunky, Barral recommends checking the tax implications of doing this. “Withdrawals from Individual Savings Accouts are tax-free but, if you’re tapping into non-ISA investments, you may be liable for capital gains tax (CGT).
“The annual exempt amount is £3,000 in 2026/27, with gains above this taxed at 18% or 24% depending on your income,” he explains. Where relevant, timing disposals across different tax years can help manage CGT liabilities.
Loans could be an option, especially as many of the healthcare providers offer flexible finance options, including interest-free loans.
For example, Circle Health Group offers a 0% interest finance option over 10 months, with some of its hospitals extending the interest-free period to 24 months. With any loan, it's important to think carefully about whether you'll be able to pay it back.
If you’re over 55, rather than take on more debt, you could take money out of your pension. You can usually take up to 25% tax-free, but amounts above this are taxed as income, with potential catches.
Quilter’s Alan Barral explains: “Taking more than the tax-free cash could push you into a higher tax bracket. Taking taxable income also triggers the money purchase annual allowance.
“This reduces the amount you can contribute to pensions in the future from £60,000 to £10,000 a year. Think carefully before withdrawing money from your pension and balance immediate healthcare needs with long-term retirement security.”
If taking money from your pension isn’t an option and you’re desperate to be treated more quickly than the NHS can offer, another option might be equity release. This covers products such as lifetime mortgages, which are long-term loans secured against your home.
Bear in mind this is a significant decision with long-term consequences, so needs to be considered carefully.
| Procedure | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
|
Cataract surgery (per eye) |
£2,522 in Sheffield |
£3,417 in Cardiff |
|
Hip replacement (per hip) |
£13,847 in Glasgow |
£17,540 in Cambridge |
|
Knee replacement (per knee) |
£14,341 in Glasgow |
£18,236 in Cambridge |
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