The Market – an overview

Our members were asked about their key markets, including for NHS-funded, PMI-funded, and domestic and international self-pay.

In describing the current market environment, respondents feel most positively about the domestic self-pay market, with 78% of respondents viewing it very positively or positively. This is followed by the insured market services at 63% and international self-pay at 31%, followed by NHS-funded services at 16%.

“People that would never think about going private are now thinking about other options because the NHS just can’t provide for them.”

When we compare these findings to last year, the biggest change is in NHS funded services. Respondents are feeling less positive about the market for the provision of NHS funded services – an decrease to 16% feeling very positive or positive from 40% in 2024.  

The PMI funded market is the area that the industry continues to feel the most positive about, with 63% this year feeling positive or very positive, albeit with a growing number feeling neutral or negative – from 26% last year to 34% this year.

Respondent comments show that confidence is growing in the in the domestic self-pay market, against a backdrop of the continuing challenges around accessing NHS care with 78% feeling positive or very positive compared with 62% last year.

“We are looking to where we can diversify away from the NHS… we’re more in control of our own destiny.”

In terms of the market of international self-pay, respondents this year are feeling less confident, with an decrease from 53% feeling very positive or positive last year to 31% this year, with a large shift to people feeling neutrally. This is an area IHPN is working closely on, particularly through its Healthcare London scheme.