The rise of Indian private healthcare: what UK patients need to know

With NHS backlogs growing and UK private care costs soaring, many British patients are exploring overseas healthcare options. India has emerged as a global healthcare powerhouse, offering high standards, cutting-edge technology, and world-class accreditation. Here’s why India’s private healthcare system deserves your attention.

1. Billions invested in healthcare infrastructure

In 2023, private equity investment in India's healthcare sector reached a record £4.4 billion (₹459 billion), supporting major hospital expansions, specialist clinics, and innovative healthcare platforms. Investors like EQT, Blackstone, and Temasek funded large-scale acquisitions and new hospital developments.

2. Hospitals with world-class accreditation

India now boasts over 1,300 NABH-accredited hospitals, aligning with rigorous clinical and operational standards. Many facilities also hold prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) certifications, signifying patient safety, infection control, and governance at international standards.

3. Highly qualified surgeons with global expertise

Indian specialists frequently train in the UK, US, or Australia and bring global experience back home. Hospitals like Apollo, Max, Shalby and Zydus employ surgeons with high patient volumes across specialities such as orthopaedics, cardiac care, oncology, and neurology, ensuring clinical excellence and consistent outcomes.

4. Cutting-edge technology at affordable costs

Leading hospital groups are investing significantly in advanced technology:

• Apollo Hospitals: Operates over 10,100 beds across 73 hospitals, with plans to invest approximately £575 million (₹60 billion) to add 4,300 more beds nationwide (Economic Times). Apollo is also adopting AI to improve clinician workflows (Reuters).

• Max Healthcare: Currently manages 22 facilities with over 5,000 beds, primarily in North India, and plans to invest around £623 million (₹65 billion) to add 3,700 additional beds by 2028 (Max Healthcare).

• Zydus Hospitals: Part of the Zydus Cadila Group, with approximately 1,100 beds and over 350 ICU beds across multiple locations in Gujarat. The hospitals feature state-of-the-art Da Vinci Xi robotic surgery systems, advanced 3 Tesla MRIs, dual-energy CT scanners, and modern cardiac catheterisation labs (Zydus Hospitals).

These advancements provide UK patients access to sophisticated medical technologies often at a fraction of the cost in the UK.

5. Medical tourism infrastructure fully established

In 2023, India issued around 635,000 medical visas, significantly up from approximately 475,000 in 2022, reflecting growing global confidence. Most private hospitals have dedicated international patient departments to help with visas, travel arrangements, translators, accommodation bookings, and local concierge services, providing a seamless experience.

6. Ensuring safety, cleanliness and trust

Accreditations from NABH and JCI mean stringent hygiene protocols, robust infection controls, and transparent clinical practices. Apollo Hospitals, for example, has implemented AI technology to manage clinical efficiency and patient safety effectively (Reuters). Independent reviews from reputable sources like Newsweek further affirm the quality and reliability of India's private healthcare providers.

7. India's private hospitals are part of a quiet global revolution

This transformation goes beyond affordability, it's about significant investment, world-class accreditation, specialised expertise, and advanced medical facilities. UK patients now have viable alternatives that frequently match or surpass NHS or private UK healthcare standards.

8. What UK patients should do next

• ✅ Look for NABH and JCI accreditation to ensure international standards.

• ✅ Check surgeon qualifications and case volume related to your condition.

• ✅ Confirm availability of advanced technologies such as robotic surgery and digital imaging.

• ✅ Ensure comprehensive support with visa assistance, translation services, and local logistics.

• ✅ Read independent patient reviews, especially those from UK patients.

• ✅ Prioritise safety, transparency, aftercare, and documentation over cost alone.

Key takeaway

India’s private healthcare sector has evolved into a globally competitive, accredited, and technology-driven option. For UK patients facing NHS delays and high domestic private costs, Indian hospitals represent a reliable, safe, and financially sensible alternative.