Are there private A&E’s in the UK?

While the UK does not have private Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments in the traditional sense, a growing network of private urgent care centres and acute admissions services offers an alternative route for patients seeking faster access to treatment for non-life-threatening conditions. This trend is especially pronounced in London and other major cities, where demand for private healthcare is rising amid increasing NHS pressures.​ The expertise in these hospitals are growing.

What Are Private Urgent Care Centres?

Private urgent care centres are walk-in clinics designed to treat a range of non-critical medical issues—such as sprains, minor fractures, infections, and mild abdominal or chest pain—without the long waits often associated with NHS A&E departments. These centres are typically staffed by experienced doctors and nurses and offer rapid access to diagnostics like X-rays, blood tests, and scans.​

Leading providers in London include HCA Healthcare UK, Cromwell Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and St John & St Elizabeth Hospital. For instance, HCA’s urgent care centres in Marylebone, Chelsea, and St John’s Wood aim to triage patients within 15 minutes of arrival and treat over 96% of cases on the first visit. Similarly, Cromwell Hospital accepts adult walk-ins without the need for a referral, offering services from 8 am to 7 pm daily.

However, these centres do not handle life-threatening emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks, or severe trauma. In such cases, patients are advised to call 999 or attend an NHS A&E department.​

Acute Admissions in Private Hospitals

For more serious but non-life-threatening conditions requiring hospitalisation, many private hospitals operate acute admissions units. These services are typically available 24/7 but require a referral from a GP or private urgent care provider.

HCA Healthcare UK offers a 24-hour acute admissions service across several London hospitals, including The Wellington Hospital, The Lister Hospital, The Princess Grace Hospital, and London Bridge Hospital. Patients can be admitted within two hours under consultant-led care, with access to diagnostics, imaging, and intensive care if needed.

Cleveland Clinic London also provides a consultant-led Acute Admissions Unit (AAU) for patients requiring immediate medical care for serious, non-life-threatening conditions. Access is via GP or consultant referral.

Health Insurance and Access

Private medical insurance (PMI) policies vary in their coverage of urgent care and hospital admissions. Some policies allow direct access to private urgent care centres and acute admissions units, while others require an initial consultation with an NHS GP or specialist.​

Notably, most PMI policies do not cover emergency care for life-threatening conditions, as private hospitals lack A&E departments. In such emergencies, patients should seek immediate care through the NHS. ​

It's essential for patients to review their insurance policies to understand the extent of coverage and any referral requirements.​ To self-fund in a private hospital admission you can expect to pay between £3,000-6,000+ per day depending on diagnostics and level of care.

A Growing Sector

The private healthcare sector in the UK is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing NHS waiting times and a desire for more immediate care. In 2023, the UK's private healthcare market reached a record value of £12.4 billion, with private acute hospitals generating £6.7 billion in revenue. ​

This growth is reflected in the expansion of private urgent care centres and acute admissions services, offering patients faster access to treatment and more personalised care options.​ With the poor performance of NHS hospitals, more and more people are looking to the private sector to get seen faster.

Conclusion

While private A&E departments do not exist in the UK, private urgent care centres and acute admissions units provide valuable alternatives for patients seeking prompt treatment for non-life-threatening conditions. These services offer shorter wait times and access to specialist care, appealing to those looking to avoid the delays often associated with NHS services.​ However, if you suffer major trauma, heart attack or stroke or need immediate stabilisation, then you would not meet the eligibility criteria. It would be expected that if growth continues, the UK private hospital sector will open A&E’s in the future, but Urgent Care connected to an AAU department is the next closest thing for now.