Our latest data describing private elective care in the UK for 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2021 is now available to download. The latest datasheets include statistics on private hospital patient volumes, length of stay, Never Events, infections, health outcomes and hospital reported adverse events. 

The updated statistics show:

• Private activity grew in 2021, with 759,425 private patient spells, up from 527,405 in the previous 12 months in 2020 – during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• 24 Never Events were reported in private care compared to 18 in the previous 12 months (up to 31 December 2020).
• 206 healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) were reported, at a rate of 17 per 100,000 bed days. Due to incomplete data, there were an additional 9 infections where a rate could not be calculated. This compares to 194 in the previous 12-month period, with a rate of 24 in every 100,000 bed days. There were 22 infections that could not be calculated with a rate in the previous period.
• There were 107 surgical site infections reported in 2021. The percentage risk of a patient developing an infection remained at 0.2% from 2020.

All the aggregated statistics are available to download below, and include on NHS activity delivered in independent hospitals over the same period.