The number of NHS appointments, tests and operations carried out by private hospitals and clinics rose by almost 500,000 this year to about 6.15 million, according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. He said the policy aims to tackle a two‑tier system by reducing waiting times and ensuring NHS patients in England are treated promptly. Private providers said they carry out around 10% of elective NHS activity.

Between August 2024 and September 2025, private sector sites performed an average of 19,000 surgical procedures and 100,000 outpatient appointments per week, treating more than 1.1 million people in that period. Streeting said the reforms have helped deliver five million more appointments, boosted NHS productivity and reduced waiting lists by about 200,000. Other measures to cut waiting lists include the use of community diagnostic centres (CDCs) and performing more procedures in the evenings and at weekends.

David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said the latest figures show the independent sector is important in delivering around 10% of NHS elective activity and a record level of appointments, tests and scans, all free at the point of use.