The UK’s second-largest private healthcare group could benefit if Labour wins the general election on 4 July, according to a leading broker, as the party vows to clear the NHS waiting list backlog over the next parliament.
RBC Capital Markets analysts said in a note that independent operators, including FTSE 250-listed Spire Healthcare, may see “increased demand” as a result of more near-term usage of private healthcare under Labour’s plans.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told City A.M. earlier this month that Labour would use “spare capacity in the private sector” to reduce NHS waiting lists and provide it “on NHS terms, so they never have to worry about a bill”.
Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network shows there were nearly 900,000 admissions to UK private hospitals in 2023, more than any previous year.
“Given that capacity…
