Introduction

This is IHPN’s third in-depth review of the quality and safety of independent healthcare in the UK. Using 2025 data, we examine progress toward a more open, patient-centred safety culture.

The data reveals a positive trajectory from an already high baseline: over 90% of independent locations are rated good or outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with patient satisfaction sustained at 97–98%. Beyond these metrics, the sector is growing, treating record numbers of both NHS and private patients. Crucially, providers are now engaging in safety-related learning with unprecedented depth, ensuring patient voices are not just heard, but acted upon.

However, challenges remain. CQC assessment rates for independent providers remain slow, reducing the ability of providers to demonstrate the quality and safety of services, reducing commissioners’ assurance, restricting patients’ ability to choose services based on the independent regulator’s view and limiting opportunities for improvement.

Progress on data integration is mixed. While the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) has reached its ‘silver milestone’, the ADAPt programme has seen little, if any, progress, frustrating moves towards a single data repository for UK healthcare. Significant steps have been taken to share information through the Outcomes and Registries Programme (ORP) and through it, the Medical Device Outcome Registry (MDOR), but during 2026 we need to build on work to resolve important information governance issues.

Addressing these challenges is our priority for 2026. We look forward to driving this agenda forward through our ongoing work programme and our seventh annual patient safety conference in partnership with the CQC later this year.