U.K. Ambulatory Services Market Analysis Report By Type (Primary Care Offices, Outpatient Departments, Emergency Departments, Surgical Specialty, Medical Specialty), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The U.K. ambulatory services market size was valued at USD 84.8 billion in 2016 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.5% over the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in the country, along with the rising geriatric population, has been driving the U.K. market. The majority of cases of chronic diseases result in disability and require constant medical care and assistance. Moreover, the elderly are more prone to heart disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mental stress. All these factors are likely to accelerate market growth.

Regulatory organizations are taking initiatives to promote the use of ambulatory care centers. For instance, in November 2014, Healthcare Conferences UK and British Association of Day Surgery organized an event called “Improving Quality in Day Surgery”. The main objective of this event was to improve the quality of surgeries performed in countries such as Germany and the U.K.

The healthcare industry is experiencing a downward trend in inpatient admissions owing to an increase in outpatient visits. This is primarily due to the availability of technologically advanced devices and services that enable the performance of tests and procedures without a hospital stay.

Growing pressure from market payers has increased the number of people opting for diagnosis at nearby community ambulatory care units as compared to city hospitals. Technological advancements in the surgical segment have led to the introduction of faster recovery treatments wherein patients can avoid long hospital stays and reduce healthcare expenditure.

Hospital chains are collaborating with physicians for initiating outpatient facilities to reduce the burden of cost and increase their revenue. Reduction in unnecessary hospital readmissions has the potential to simultaneously improve the overall quality of healthcare infrastructure, along with saving needless expenditure. Hospitals in the U.K. are being penalized in case of readmissions above a certain benchmark. They are eligible for financial incentives in case of first admissions only and readmissions are not covered. This has encouraged hospitals and healthcare providers to adopt outpatient and same-day discharge practices.

Type Insights

The U.K. ambulatory care services market is segmented into outpatient departments, surgical specialty, primary care offices, emergency departments, and medical specialty. Primary care offices held a majority in the market in 2016 and are likely to retain its top position throughout the forecast period. However, the surgical specialty is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of the ambulatory care market during the forecast period.

Around 69.0% of patients pay a second visit to outpatient departments for follow-up. An increase in the number of hospital admissions and readmissions, along with a rise in pressure on the healthcare budget, has led to the expansion of outpatient services. Many hospitals have expanded their infrastructure to meet the growing demand for outpatient care and to reduce unwanted hospital stay.

Private healthcare in the U.K. is increasing owing to demographic changes, rise in healthcare spending, and growing support from NHS. Owing to this, the U.K. has become a lucrative market for healthcare service providers.

Apart from service providers, NHS is also providing more accessible ambulatory services through funding programs that can offer easy and improved quality of patient care. Moreover, the implementation of e-health is expected to improve patient care of around 2,000 patients by allowing them to stay at home and manage their health. In January 2014, the UK Health Plan Urgent Care Clinic, which provides on-site urgent care to employees in the country, opened a new center. The center provides same-day appointments, thus providing improved access to medical services.

U.K. Ambulatory Services Market Share Insights

Major contributors to the ambulatory care service market are merging or acquiring other competitors to offer comprehensive healthcare services. For instance, in March 2015, Tenet Healthcare based in Dallas, Texas acquired Aspen Healthcare, a U.K.-based operator of private hospitals, for USD 215.0 million to enter the U.K. market. In June 2015, the company also acquired United Surgical Partner International for the same purpose. These acquisitions are projected to propel the U.K. market by promoting the adoption of private healthcare.

In July 2016, Concordia Health won a contract worth USD 4.22 million to provide community services in audiology, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), and earwax in Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group.

Some of the key players in the ambulatory care service market are Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Management Services, L.P., Aspen Healthcare, Concordia Health, and Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA Healthcare Group.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.K. ambulatory services market report on the basis of type:

• Type (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025)

  • Primary Care Offices

  • Outpatient Departments

  • Emergency Departments

  • Surgical Specialty

    • Ophthalmology

    • Orthopedics

    • Gastroenterology

    • Pain Management

    • Plastic Surgery

    • Others

  • Medical Specialty