If you’ve never been to a private hospital before, you might be wondering what it’s like and how it’s different from an NHS hospital. While both offer the highest standards of medical care in the UK, a private hospital can provide a more personal and tailored experience, with extra levels of comfort and service, and quicker access to appointments and treatments that fit your needs.

How do private hospitals work?

A private hospital provides healthcare and treatment services independently of the NHS. Treatment can be covered by medical insurance policies or by paying directly for the treatments you want. A private hospital functions in very similar ways to an NHS hospital, though with much more privacy and personal care.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) in the UK assesses and regulates all hospitals and clinics, (including private hospitals), providing peace of mind that the private hospital you choose has been assessed to meet the national standards of care.

What is the difference between private and public hospitals?

The main differences are the level of service and privacy, with private hospitals generally providing a much more relaxing environment, in that you are provided with your very own private room and facilities during your stay. You’ll also have access to more hotel-like services, with more extensive food options, Wi-Fi and more. To help make your stay as pleasant as possible, many private hospitals tend to provide extra services such as laundry facilities and more luxury services such as hair and beauty treatments.

Another way private hospitals are more personal with their care is that newspapers and magazines can be arranged to be delivered to your room. Mail and deliveries will also be delivered to your door and your private hospital will arrange to send outgoing mail for you if required.

Please find below the personal services you can expect from a private hospital and how they further support the difference between public and non-public hospitals.

Personal services in a private hospital

As mentioned previously, private hospitals offer a more personal and private experience, with a key emphasis on comfort and relaxation. These are just some of the services you can expect to find in your chosen private hospital:

Your private room

The room where you can peacefully recover after your treatment or surgery, with en-suite facilities. Usually, a private room is equipped with a nurse call system, television, radio and telephone - all of which you will be shown how to use these when you arrive. Additionally, you’ll have access to free Wi-Fi in your room so that you can keep in touch with loved ones as well as browse the internet during your stay at the hospital.

All bed linen and towels will be provided, and toiletries are also often supplied to ensure you don’t need to worry about bringing your own.

If the treatment is for your child, then the room will normally have the appropriate facilities for a parent to stay overnight with their child.

Cleanliness

As you would expect, cleanliness is of utmost importance in all private hospitals. The cleaning staff work to very high specifications of hygiene and cleanliness. They will ensure that your private room is thoroughly cleaned every day whilst you are in hospital and between the discharge of one patient and the admission of another.

Your private hospital will carry out infection control surveillance. Most independent sector hospitals have a low rate of hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA, and this is due to the thorough cleaning regimes and ongoing staff training they implement. All rooms and common areas will also be routinely deep cleaned, as the cleaning staffs are normally available 24/7 to respond to any need that can occur.

Dining

Most private hospitals offer a wide range of meals to suit every dietary requirement and preference, which is delivered directly to your room. You can choose from daily menus or you can discuss your specific dietary requirement (such as diabetic, vegan or gluten-free etc) with a member of the team to ensure your needs are met.

Visitors

Your loved ones are welcome to visit you with fewer restrictions than an NHS hospital (subject to your medical considerations of course). They are also more than welcome to call ahead for information about your progress by speaking to the nurse in charge of your care.

How do I get a private hospital appointment?

You can make an appointment at a private hospital even if you don’t have medical insurance. Simply get in contact with your chosen hospital to make an appointment and find out more about the different payment options available to you.