Leveraging Private Income Growth Outside of London to Address Waiting Lists, Deficits & Consultant Flight

According to a recent survey by NHS Providers, 44% of respondents expected their Trust to be in deficit in 2024/25. With NHS finances in crisis, Trusts simply can’t afford to wait for the 2025 review or hope for a financial lifeline from Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the October Budget. Whilst growing NHS Private Patient Units (PPUs) isn't a 'silver bullet', done correctly, as part of an array of solutions, it can help Trust to address:

• long waiting lists
• budget constraints
• large deficits
• clinical staff engagement and retention

Despite the pressures from stretched budgets, rising financial deficits, and consultant and clinical staff flight to local private hospitals, most NHS Trusts have yet to fully unlock the revenue potential within their own organisations.

Traditionally, private income within a Trust has been viewed by purists as a taboo topic. However, London PPUs generate between ￡50m - ￡200m in annual revenue, whereas Trusts outside of London typically see private income of around ￡1m or less. NHS PPUs outside of London have only just scratched the surface of a tremendous opportunity to generate significant private income.

With elective waiting lists now at 7.6 million patients and diagnostic waiting times averaging 5-weeks, many individuals who can afford to self-pay are left unaware of the option to seek private treatment through NHS PPUs.

The Opportunity | A Growing Demand for Private Treatment

Demand for private healthcare is on the rise as more patients opt for quicker access to high-quality care. Yet, most NHS PPUs outside of London remain underdeveloped and underutilised, operating without a clear strategy to attract private patients.

Outside of London and major cities, limited private health provision means a significant portion of the market is left unserved, creating a prime growth opportunity for Trusts to seize. However, PPUs are currently losing out as consultants divert private practice work to nearby private hospitals, taking potential revenue and resources out of the Trust.

It’s time for PPUs to step up and claim a larger share of the private market.

The Solution | A Market-Tested Approach to Seize the Growth

Our experience has shown that with the right strategy, NHS Trusts outside of London can develop thriving PPUs capable of reducing deficits, cross-subsidising public treatments, and reinvesting in critical services. Curzon Consulting’s market-tested approach focuses on 3 key pillars for PPU growth:

1. Strategic Expansion of Private Services | Leverage existing infrastructure by utilising underused capacity to offer comprehensive private care, including diagnostics, elective surgeries, and specialist consultations. Implement competitive pricing structures and develop bundled packages to attract patients seeking a predictable cost for high-quality care. Offer finance solutions to spread the cost and appeal to a broader patient base.
2. Enhancing Patient Choice and Experience | Create a seamless patient experience with flexible scheduling, quick access, and digital integration. By developing an online platform for booking, payments, and follow-up, PPUs can compete directly with private hospitals on convenience and quality, differentiating themselves as a trusted choice for private healthcare.
3. Consultant and Other Clinical Staff Retention | Consultants and other clinical staff are the backbone of any PPU. By offering competitive remuneration packages, dedicated support, and high-quality facilities, Trusts can prevent consultants from migrating their private work elsewhere. Engaging consultants and clinical staff early and ensuring they are integral to the PPU’s growth strategy is critical to long-term success.

The Benefits | A Sustainable Financial Solution for NHS Trusts

When fully optimised, PPUs can provide a sustainable revenue stream, contributing directly to deficit reduction and cross-subsidising public services. Furthermore, this approach requires minimal disruption to existing operations, making it an attractive option for Trusts seeking immediate impact.

Figure 1: Benefits to NHS Trust of Private Patient Income Growth

How to Make It Happen | A Proven Methodology

Curzon Consulting offers a comprehensive, turnkey solution to ensure the successful growth of NHS PPUs by addressing 10 key areas.

Figure 2: Curzon Consulting's Turnkey Solution to Drive Private Patient Income Growth

1. Market Sizing & Strategic Planning | Conducting comprehensive market analysis and developing a clear business case to target private patients ensures that the PPU's growth is strategic and data-driven, with a long-term plan for sustainable expansion.
2. Operational Consulting | Optimising processes and streamlining supply chains to reduce costs and improve efficiency allows the PPU to operate more profitably while maintaining a high standard of care.
3. Legal & Tax Advisory | Establishing the correct legal entity and implementing tax-efficient strategies ensures that the PPU remains financially compliant while maximising revenue potential.
4. IT & Digital Solutions | Deploying integrated IT systems with strong cybersecurity safeguards enables seamless digital experiences for patients, from online bookings to billing, enhancing operational efficiency and patient engagement.
5. HR & Talent Management | Implementing robust recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies helps attract and retain top clinicians, ensuring that the PPU has the talent needed to drive growth and provide high-quality care.
6. Customer Experience Management | Designing services around patient needs and delivering personalised, patient-centric care boosts satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat business, positioning the PPU as a preferred choice for private treatment.
7. Regulatory & Compliance Support | Establishing rigorous quality assurance and compliance processes ensures the PPU adheres to healthcare regulations, safeguarding patient safety and Trust reputation.
8. Financial Advisory | Providing expert financial planning, including forecasting, budgeting, and revenue cycle management, helps the PPU maintain a healthy cash flow and support its growth objectives.
9. Facilities Management | Optimising the use of existing NHS infrastructure and developing new facilities where necessary maximises capacity and enhances the PPU's ability to meet growing patient demand.
10. Branding & Marketing | Building a strong, recognisable brand and executing targeted marketing campaigns positions the PPU as an attractive option for private patients, driving awareness and revenue growth.

Curzon Consulting's end-to-end approach and capabilities ensures that NHS PPUs can confidently expand into the private market with a structured plan that delivers impactful and sustainable growth.

Call to Action | Are You Ready to Maximise Your PPU’s Potential?

At Curzon Consulting, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing NHS Trusts today. Our 10 point PPU Growth Readiness Assessment offers a comprehensive review of current operations, from strategic planning and legal compliance to digital integration and consultant engagement. We identify key growth areas and provide a clear roadmap to transform your PPU into a thriving hub for private care. We are also open to a risk-sharing fee model to ensure our incentives are aligned with the NHS Trust.

Contact us today to schedule a rapid PPU Growth Readiness Assessment and start tapping into your Trust’s full potential! For NHS Trusts serious about capturing this opportunity, we are offering the first 2 Trusts outside of London a free rapid PPU Growth Readiness Assessment.