Increasing reliance on private healthcare services in the UK is driving a notable rise in practice sales and external investment, according to business brokerage Verilo.
As NHS waiting times remain at historic highs, more patients are choosing private healthcare solutions. Research from YouGov shows that one in seven UK residents sought private treatment within the last year, with public attitudes continuing to move in that direction.
Supporting data from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network reveals that 71% of people would now consider private healthcare, compared with 63% just two years ago. This marks a clear shift in how private care is perceived by the wider population.
The trend is attracting growing interest from investors and strategic buyers, many of whom see private healthcare as a stable sector underpinned by long-term demand.
Verilo says buyer registrations have risen sharply, with a new potential acquirer joining its marketplace approximately every six hours during 2025.
Founder Joshua Catlett notes that demand is coming from a more diverse group of buyers than in previous years, extending beyond traditional healthcare operators.
“Private healthcare is no longer a niche or boutique offering. It’s becoming a core part of the UK health ecosystem. Buyers see a sector with rising patient demand, strong fundamentals, and operational headroom for growth. For practice owners, that creates liquidity and choice that simply wasn’t available ten, even five years ago.”
On the supply side, Verilo reports an increase in practices coming to market, particularly those run by clinicians who never anticipated the scale their businesses would reach.
What often begins as a patient-focused clinical operation can evolve into a complex organisation, requiring founders to take on responsibilities far removed from frontline care.
“Some practice owners describe themselves as accidental business owners. They set out to provide great clinical care, and the demand grew. Over time, their role shifts from treating patients to managing HR, staffing, and compliance. For many, selling the practice allows them to release capital while staying on clinically, and passing growth to an organisation better set up to scale.”
According to Verilo, the alignment between buyer interest and seller intent is leading to a more sophisticated and predictable transaction market.
Rather than full exits, many deals now involve staged sales, retained clinical positions or gradual transitions that reduce risk for founders.
The brokerage reports sustained annual growth in completed deals and a 90% completion rate, reflecting strong confidence from both buyers and sellers.
Catlett says the developments point to an industry coming of age.
“Private healthcare is entering a new phase where ownership transitions are planned, orderly, and strategic. Buyers are looking for scale, and owners are looking for sustainability. Those forces are meeting in the middle.”
