The rising cost of Private Hysterectomies: Our latest research shows the UK regions most affected

Key findings at a glance:

• The average cost of a private abdominal hysterectomy has increased by 19.1% over the last 3 years, from £7,385 in 2021 to £8,795 in 2024.
• The South West has seen the most significant price increases, with costs rising by 22% between 2021 and 2024.
• There were wide variations in the price growth between different UK regions, with the East of England (9.1%) experiencing the smallest hysterectomy price increase.
• Yorkshire and Humber topped the list of regions on hysterectomy cost with the most expensive average price of £9,765, while the East Midlands offered the most affordable average price (£7,809).

Recent reports have shown that women are facing increasingly long waits for gynaecological treatment on the NHS, prompting many to consider the option of having the procedure performed privately.

To help women understand their private healthcare options for an abdominal hysterectomy, myTribe Insurance Experts analysed pricing data from 42 private hospitals across the UK between 2021 and 2024.  These prices included everything from the initial consultation through to aftercare following the surgery.

Significant hysterectomy price increases

Our research shows that private medical treatment costs have gone up significantly over the last 3 years. The average cost of a private abdominal hysterectomy in the UK now stands at £8,795 – a 19.1% increase from £7,385 in 2021. The biggest price jumps happened between 2022-23, with a 7.6% rise, and prices continued climbing at a similar rate into 2023-24.

Chris Steele, Founder and Editor of myTribe Insurance Experts, says: "The rising costs we're seeing for private hysterectomies are concerning for women who are looking for alternatives to the NHS. We've tracked a nationwide increase of nearly 20% in just three years, putting additional financial pressure on those perhaps turning to the private sector for the first time."

How the cost of hysterectomy varies by region

The research uncovered not only the overall rise in prices, but also the existence of a postcode lottery, with the cost increases varying significantly depending on where you live in the UK.

The South West has seen the steepest climb of any region, with costs rising by 22% over the last 3 years. Despite experiencing the sharpest rise, it still isn't the most expensive place to have a private hysterectomy procedure done.

With a 2024 cost of £9,765, Yorkshire and The Humber tops the list for the highest prices. The relatively modest increase of 15.18% suggests high baseline costs compared to other regions.

The East of England experienced the smallest price increase at just 9.12%, maintaining relatively stable pricing compared to the national average growth.

Contrary to traditional assumptions, no definitive North-South price divide emerged. High costs are scattered across regions, with local market conditions and demand playing more significant roles in determining pricing. London, often expected to lead in costs, recorded only a mid-range price increase of 16.65%, partly due to the exclusion of data from high-end providers like HCA Healthcare.

Useful guides:

• What's the difference between self-pay and health insurance?
• What is private health insurance and how does it work?
• What is the NHS Choices Framework?

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Chris Steele, Founder and Editor of myTribe Insurance Experts says: "Traditional assumptions about a North-South price divide don't hold true in our data. Instead, we're seeing high costs scattered across different regions, suggesting that local market conditions and demand play a bigger role in pricing than geographic location.”

Methodology

Data was sourced from 42 private hospitals, with prices reflecting comprehensive packages covering consultation, surgery, and post-operative care. Pricing was standardised using median values to mitigate outlier effects. Regions with insufficient data, such as Northern Ireland, were excluded from the analysis.