
As an FCA-authorised expert that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr provides this complete guide to private medical insurance (PMI) and hospitals in the UK's second city. Birmingham offers a superb selection of private healthcare facilities, giving you choice and control over your medical treatment.
Birmingham is a major hub for medical excellence, home to world-class NHS trusts and a thriving private healthcare sector. For residents with private medical insurance, this means access to fast, high-quality treatment for a wide range of conditions.
But with several top-tier private hospitals and clinics to choose from, how do you decide which one is right for you? In this definitive guide, we break down the leading private hospitals in Birmingham, explaining their specialities, facilities, and what you can expect as a patient.
While the NHS provides exceptional care, it is currently facing significant pressure. According to NHS England data from early 2025, waiting lists for routine treatments remain at historically high levels. For many, the key benefits of going private are:
Private medical insurance is the key that unlocks these benefits, making high-quality private treatment affordable and accessible.
Before we review the hospitals, it's vital to understand what private health cover is designed for.
PMI is for acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy.
An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Think of conditions like hernias, joint problems requiring replacement, or cataracts.
Crucially, standard UK PMI policies do not cover:
An expert PMI broker, like WeCovr, can help you understand the nuances of underwriting and find a policy that best fits your personal circumstances.
Birmingham's private hospitals are recognised by all major UK health insurers, including Bupa, Aviva, Axa Health, and Vitality. Your choice of hospital may be determined by your policy's "hospital list," which is why it's important to get expert advice when setting up your cover.
Here’s our review of the city’s leading facilities.
Located in Edgbaston's esteemed medical quarter, The Priory is one of the region's largest and most well-known private hospitals. As part of the Circle Health Group, it benefits from significant ongoing investment in technology and facilities.
Situated in Solihull, on the outskirts of Birmingham, Spire Parkway is easily accessible from the M42. It has a strong reputation for patient care and a wide range of services, making it a favourite for patients across the West Midlands.
Located to the north of Birmingham, near Sutton Coldfield, Spire Little Aston serves patients from Staffordshire and the northern West Midlands. It prides itself on a personalised approach to care in a modern, purpose-built facility.
Also located in the Edgbaston medical district, this hospital was formerly part of the BMI group and is now integrated into Circle Health Group. It has a long-standing reputation for clinical excellence and works closely with consultants from the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
This is a unique model in Birmingham. HCA Healthcare UK, a leading international private healthcare provider, operates a dedicated private patient unit within the world-renowned Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), an NHS Trust.
To help you compare, here is a summary of Birmingham's main private hospitals.
| Hospital | Location | CQC Rating (as of 2025) | Key Specialities | Noteworthy Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Priory Hospital | Edgbaston | Good | Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Oncology | Level 3 Critical Care Unit, advanced cardiac facilities. |
| Spire Parkway Hospital | Solihull | Good | Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology | Hydrotherapy pool, dedicated sports injury clinic. |
| Spire Little Aston | Sutton Coldfield | Good | Orthopaedics, Spinal, ENT | Modern, purpose-built facility north of the city. |
| The Edgbaston Hospital | Edgbaston | Good | Neurosurgery, Gastroenterology, Bariatrics | Strong links with specialised NHS consultants. |
| HCA at The QEHB | Edgbaston | (Rated as part of QEHB) | Complex Cancer, Neurosurgery, Transplants | Private care within a major NHS super-hospital. |
Your choice of hospital will depend on several factors:
This is where working with an independent PMI broker like WeCovr is invaluable. We can compare policies from across the market to ensure your chosen plan includes the hospitals and specialists you want, all at a competitive price and at no extra cost to you.
A good private medical insurance plan does more than just pay for hospital stays. Many modern policies include benefits designed to keep you healthy and support your wellbeing.
At WeCovr, we go a step further. All our health and life insurance clients receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered nutrition app, to help you manage your diet and achieve your health goals. We also offer discounts on other insurance products when you take out a PMI policy with us.
While PMI covers these costs, it's useful to see some illustrative examples of what private procedures can cost. These are national average figures for 2025; actual costs in Birmingham may vary slightly.
| Procedure | Typical Private Cost (Self-Funded) | Covered by PMI? |
|---|---|---|
| MRI Scan | £400 - £800 | Yes |
| Cataract Surgery (per eye) | £2,500 - £4,000 | Yes |
| Hip Replacement | £12,000 - £15,000 | Yes |
| Knee Replacement | £13,000 - £16,000 | Yes |
| Hernia Repair | £3,000 - £5,000 | Yes |
These figures highlight why having robust private medical insurance in the UK is so important. A policy costing a manageable monthly premium can protect you from unexpected bills running into thousands of pounds.
Birmingham offers a fantastic array of private hospitals, each with its own strengths and specialities. From the comprehensive services at The Priory to the highly specialised care available at HCA within the QE, you have an excellent choice.
The key to unlocking this choice is having the right private medical insurance policy. It acts as your passport to fast, high-quality care, giving you control and peace of mind when you need it most.
Navigating the world of PMI—from hospital lists and excess levels to underwriting types—can be complex. An expert broker removes the guesswork, ensuring you get the best PMI provider and policy for your needs and budget.
Generally, yes. Most private medical insurance providers require a referral from your NHS or a private GP before they will authorise treatment. This is to ensure that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for your symptoms. Many modern PMI policies now include a digital GP service, which you can use to get a referral quickly and conveniently.
Yes, one of the primary benefits of private health cover is the ability to choose your specialist or consultant. As long as the consultant is recognised by your insurer and practises at a hospital included in your policy's list, you have the freedom to choose who treats you. Some insurers may have a "guided" consultant list on certain policies to help keep costs down, so it's important to check this detail when comparing cover.
Standard private medical insurance in the UK is designed to cover new, acute conditions that arise after your policy begins. It does not cover pre-existing conditions (those you had before taking out cover) or chronic conditions (long-term illnesses requiring ongoing management). The day-to-day care for chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma will remain with the NHS. However, some acute flare-ups of a chronic condition may be covered by certain policies, but this varies significantly. It is vital to declare your medical history accurately when applying.
Ready to explore your private healthcare options in Birmingham?
Let WeCovr help you find the perfect private medical insurance plan. Our expert advisors compare quotes from leading UK insurers to find cover that fits your needs and budget, all at no cost to you.
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