Ireland’s appetite for private healthcare hits new highs

Ireland is mirroring – and in some cases outpacing – the UK’s shift towards private medical insurance (PMI) as the preferred route to timely treatment. New PHIN data shows record-breaking volumes of private hospital admissions across 2024, with PMI-funded care rising sharply in Northern Ireland – up 29% year-on-year – the highest increase of any UK region or nation.

While self-pay admissions dipped slightly overall, insured treatments continued to climb, pointing to a decisive shift in how healthcare is being accessed. With NHS pressures unlikely to ease, businesses are stepping in to fill the gap, extending PMI benefits and transforming them from executive perks into mainstream expectations.

For Irish healthcare providers and insurers, this marks a strategic moment. Demand is rising not only for speed and convenience, but also for advanced, tech-driven procedures. Robotic-assisted surgeries for hips and knees saw sharp increases, suggesting the future of private care will be both personalised and precision-led.

The message is clear: as the state struggles to meet patient demand, Ireland’s private sector is not just expanding – it’s evolving. The time to invest in capacity, coverage, and cutting-edge treatment is now.

Read the full breakdown and see what’s ahead for Irish providers.