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Specialist Medical Practices in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Fiona Stalker Fiona Stalker London, United Kingdom Last Updated: September 2024 SIC Q86.220

Revenue

£11.7bn

2024-25

£11.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XXX.Xm

Employees

114k

Businesses

32,752

Wages

£X.Xbn

Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry analysis

Over the five years through 2024-25, specialist medical practices’ revenue is expected to sink at a compound annual rate of 0.5% to £11.7 billion. Demand for specialist medical services has remained resilient as an ageing population in the UK and rising obesity levels have elevated health problems. However, stretched funding from the NHS and reduced capacity during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020-21 have weighed on revenue. The COVID-19 outbreak also delayed millions of non-essential medical procedures. Waiting lists for NHS consultant-led elective care sat at 7.5 million in February 2024, far higher than pre-COVID.

Trends and Insights

  • An enormous backlog of NHS medical appointments boosts private care. The outbreak of COVID-19 delayed millions of non-essential medical procedures. Waiting lists for NHS consultant-led elective care reached a record high of 7.8 million patients in September 2023, according to NHS England.
  • A shortage of anaesthetists creates delays to surgeries. In February 2022, the RCA estimated that the NHS will have a shortfall of 11,000 anaesthetic staff by 2040, preventing 8.3 million operations from occurring every year.
  • The South East's population is older, supporting its share of specialist medical practices. High disposable income in the South East means more people can afford private healthcare.
  • Demand for private appointments due to NHS backlogs intensifies competition. Self-funded patients are more sensitive to the price, quality and reputation of services.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £11.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

An obesity crisis bumps up patient admissions for medical specialists

  • Doctors are increadingly treating medical conditions that are linked to obesity problems. The Health Survey for England revealed the share of obese adults has risen from 14.9% in 1993 to 25.9% in 2021. With the inclusion of overweight adults, the percentage increased from 53% to 63.8% over the same period.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Specialist Medical Practices in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

An ageing population will require more hospital beds

  • Britain's baby boomers are ageing, with the youngest of this demographic in their mid-50s. They will likely rely more on the healthcare system, particularly as life expectancy climbs.

Biggest companies in the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
Spire Healthcare Ltd
249.5
MSI Reproductive Choices
43.3
The Family Planning Association
N/A

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Specialist Medical Practices in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including General remedial treatment, Surgical procedures and Anaesthetics. General remedial treatment is the largest segment of the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK.

Trends and Insights

General remedial treatment recommends lifestyle changes or medicine prescriptions

  • Typically, GPs refer patients to specialist medical practitioners if they cannot remedy the problem themselves.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry includes medical consultation and treatment in the field of specialised medicine by medical specialists and surgeons. It also includes family planning centres that provide medical treatment such as sterilisation and termination of pregnancy, without accommodation.

What's included in this industry?

General remedial treatmentPathology and oncologySurgical proceduresPaediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecologyAnaestheticsDriving and flying medical examinations

Companies

Spire Healthcare LtdMSI Reproductive ChoicesThe Family Planning Association

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE (NHS)UROLOGYCLINICAL PRIORITIES ADVISORY GROUPINTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGISTSINTEGRATED CARE SYSTEMS (ICS)

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 86.22 - Specialist Medical Practices in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

An enormous backlog of NHS medical appointments boosts private care. The outbreak of COVID-19 delayed millions of non-essential medical procedures. Waiting lists for NHS cons...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

A shortage of anaesthetists creates delays to surgeries. In February 2022, the RCA estimated that the NHS will have a shortfall of 11,000 anaesthetic staff by 2040, preventin...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The South East's population is older, supporting its share of specialist medical practices. High disposable income in the South East means more people can afford private heal...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Demand for private appointments due to NHS backlogs intensifies competition. Self-funded patients are more sensitive to the price, quality and reputation of services.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no large companies in the industry. Most medical specialists run small, independent practices from the private sector or are loosely affiliated with the NHS.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Spire Healthcare Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of MSI Reproductive Choices's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of The Family Planning Association's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Spire Healthcare Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for MSI Reproductive Choices, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for The Family Planning Association, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The level of obesity is climbing. The Health Survey for England 2021 estimated that 37.9% of the adult population are overweight and 25.9% are obese, putting a strain on the ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The growing backlog boosts demand for private healthcare, pushing up profit. People are increasingly turning to private GPs to expedite treatment.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £11.7bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 32,752 businesses in the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Specialist Medical Practices market in United Kingdom are Spire Healthcare Ltd, MSI Reproductive Choices and The Family Planning Association

What does the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK in United Kingdom include?

General remedial treatment and Pathology and oncology are part of the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Spire Healthcare Ltd.

How competitive is the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is low and steady in the Specialist Medical Practices in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.