Record numbers of cancer patients are seeking treatment in private hospitals as pressure mounts on the crisis-hit NHS.
Industry data obtained by The Telegraph reveal that private hospitals admitted 95,885 cancer patients last year—a 30 per cent increase since 2020, according to the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN). The surge reflects widespread frustration with NHS waiting lists, which now stand at 7.37 million people.
Chemotherapy admissions alone rose by nine per cent in 2024, making it the second most common private procedure after cataract surgery. Officials at the Department of Health acknowledged that the rise in private demand underscores “unacceptable” pressures on the health service.
Shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew condemned the situation, saying: “Cancer patients should not be forced to reach for their wallets because the NHS can’t deliver treatment on time. The Conservatives will bring discipline back to the system, protect frontline services, and ensure that the NHS is there for everyone who needs it.”
NHS delays drive shift to private care
The NHS has struggled to recover from pandemic-era backlogs. Only two-thirds of cancer patients begin treatment within two months of urgent referral, far below the government’s target of 85 per cent, which has not been met since 2015.
At the same time, private healthcare coverage is expanding. Around eight million Britons now have private medical insurance—14 per cent of the adult population—an increase of nearly one million in just five years, according to the Financial Conduct Authority.
PHIN data also show more patients are self-funding cancer treatment, though insurance still covers the majority. In 2024, insurance paid for 70 per cent of all private hospital admissions.
“Private medical insurance continues to drive growth in private healthcare, particularly in oncology,” said Dr Chris Smith-Brown, PHIN’s clinical adviser. “Oncology admissions rose by six per cent last year, outpacing overall private admissions, while chemotherapy reflects the growing reliance on private cover for complex care.”
In total, 72,920 chemotherapy admissions were recorded in 2024, although the number of sessions per patient varied widely depending on cancer type and treatment plan.
Working-age adults fuel demand
The steepest rise in private healthcare use came from adults aged 30 to 50, often through employer-provided insurance. Knee and hip replacements, hernia repairs, endoscopies, and colonoscopies were also among the most common procedures, alongside 75,000 cataract operations and 59,000 joint replacements.
Research by the Independent Healthcare Provider Network (IHPN) suggests that half of millennials plan to use private healthcare within the next year. Danielle Henry, IHPN’s policy director, said: “These figures echo our own findings that people across all sections of society are more open to private healthcare. While faster access is the main driver, patients also value personalised, high-quality care, particularly in cancer treatment.”
Government vows reform
The Government insists progress is being made. A Department of Health spokesman said: “It is unacceptable that patients feel compelled to go private. Through our Plan for Change, we are fixing the broken NHS, cutting cancer waiting times, and investing in modern technology.”
The department highlighted record cancer screening figures, with 3.1 million outpatient appointments in the past year, and the highest-ever proportion of patients receiving a diagnosis or all-clear within four weeks.
NHS England added that partnerships with the independent sector are expanding capacity to reduce waits. “Initiatives like lung cancer screening, which diagnosed over 3,000 cases last year—75 per cent at an early stage—are ensuring more cancers are caught earlier and treated faster,” a spokesman said. “But we recognise more work is needed to guarantee timely treatment for all.”
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