Wales Private Healthcare Update: PHIN Q1 2026 Admissions
Published: 4 November 2026
PHIN reported 7,675 private hospital admissions in Wales during Q1 2026, down 4.7% from the same quarter in 2025. Within that total, insurance-funded admissions rose by 6.3% to 3,740, while self-pay admissions fell by 13.3%.
The quarter shows why total activity and the way treatment is funded should be considered separately. A rise in insured admissions does not mean every policyholder can claim for every procedure, and a fall in self-pay activity does not indicate a change in NHS waiting times.
Understanding the regional figures
PHIN describes admissions to independent hospitals and clinics. The data is a sector-level snapshot; it does not provide prices or compare the terms of individual health insurance products. The report also notes that procedures, patient profiles and consultant activity vary.
For someone considering private medical insurance in Wales, practical checks remain the same as elsewhere in the UK: confirm the hospital network available near you, whether your chosen consultant is recognised, the referral route, benefit limits and any excess. Ask the insurer to pre-authorise the specific treatment before booking.
Read our hospital-list guide and guide to comparing health insurance for questions to ask before choosing cover.
Compare available UK policies: compare health insurance plans.
Sources checked 4 November 2026
PHIN’s figures cover Q1 2026 and are not a forecast, insurance quote or measure of NHS waiting times.