How to Compare Private Hospital Prices in the UK
Last updated 29 August 2026
Most major UK private hospital groups now publish at least some pricing information. That's a fairly recent shift, though, the format is different for every group, and none of them compare their prices against the others. If you want to know whether Nuffield or Spire is cheaper for the same procedure, you still have to open several different websites and do the comparison yourself.
Quick answer: no single site compares private hospital prices across providers, since Nuffield, Spire, Circle, HCA and Practice Plus Group only publish their own guide prices and none compares against the others. An independent comparison tool, like Keystone, fills that gap: it lists specific clinics and consultants for your exact procedure in one ranked list, so you don't have to check each provider's site yourself.
This guide explains what each major group publishes, what still isn't published anywhere, and how to actually compare prices for a specific procedure near you.
Do private hospitals publish their prices?
Yes, mostly. But "published" often means a general price list or a starting-from figure, not a firm quote for your specific case. What you'll actually pay usually depends on your consultant, your specific diagnosis, and which of the group's hospitals you go to (prices can vary between two hospitals under the same brand).
What the major groups publish
| Group | What they publish | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nuffield Health | Treatment price lists, varies by hospital | Per-hospital "pricing" pages |
| Spire Healthcare | General cost guidance, new-patient consultation fee ranges (roughly £120 to £500) | Help centre "costs and prices" page |
| Circle Health Group | A general guide to paying for private treatment, starting-from prices | Hospital treatment pages |
| HCA Healthcare | Service-specific guide pricing (e.g. private GP from £99) | Service pages |
| Practice Plus Group | Procedure-level guide pricing | Treatment pages |
Note the pattern: guide prices and starting-from figures are common; a single number you can compare apples-to-apples across five providers, for your specific procedure, in one place, is not.
What actually affects the price, beyond which hospital you pick
- Which hospital within the group. The same brand's price list can differ meaningfully between, say, a London hospital and one outside a major city.
- Your consultant's fee. This is often separate from the hospital's facility fee and varies consultant to consultant.
- Diagnostics and aftercare. Scans, tests, and follow-up appointments are sometimes bundled into a headline price and sometimes billed separately, so always check what's included.
- Self-pay vs. insured. Self-pay ("going private without insurance") prices are usually the published guide price; insured patients are billed through their insurer's negotiated rate, which can be different.
Is private healthcare worth it if you don't have insurance?
For many people, yes, especially for a single procedure or a faster diagnosis, rather than ongoing cover. The typical NHS patient is currently waiting a median of 12.4 weeks for treatment, and the longest-waiting 8% are waiting over 38.6 weeks (NHS England RTT figures, May 2026). Paying once for a specific procedure privately is often far cheaper than an annual insurance policy, and many private hospitals and clinics accept self-pay patients directly without needing insurance at all.
The real gap: comparing across providers
Every major group publishes something, but none of them publish a comparison against their competitors, because they're not going to recommend you go elsewhere if it's cheaper. That's the gap a comparison tool fills: instead of checking five hospital groups' websites individually, you compare specific clinics and consultants near you, for the specific procedure you need, in one ranked list.
Curious what clinics near you actually charge? Compare real prices, distances and ratings.
Compare private clinics near you by service →Frequently asked questions
How much does private surgery cost UK?
It depends heavily on the procedure, the hospital, and the consultant. Simple procedures can start from a few hundred pounds; more complex surgery can run into several thousand. Always get a specific quote rather than relying on a general guide price.
Is it cheaper to go private without insurance?
Often, yes, for a single procedure. You pay the self-pay/guide price directly rather than an ongoing insurance premium. Insurance makes more sense if you expect to need private care regularly or want cover for unpredictable future issues.
Do private hospitals publish real prices, or just estimates?
Most publish "from" prices or general guide pricing rather than a firm quote. The exact price usually depends on your consultant's assessment. Treat published prices as a starting point for comparison, not a final bill.
What do people use to compare private hospital prices in the UK?
An independent comparison site, since none of the hospital groups themselves publish prices against their competitors. On a site like Keystone, you search by procedure and location and see clinics and consultants ranked in one list, rather than working through five separate provider websites.
Which private hospital group is cheapest?
It varies by procedure, location, and consultant. There's no single cheapest group across the board. This is exactly why comparing multiple providers for your specific procedure, rather than picking one brand, tends to save the most money.