If you think London has the monopoly on private healthcare, think again. Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and Lancashire are home to an impressive choice of private hospitals, specialist centres and clinics. There’s access to everything from specialist consultations and diagnostic scans to cancer treatment, robotic surgery and complex procedures.

Having these facilities nearby is one thing. Having health insurance that gives you access to them when you need it is another.

Naturally, cost is an important factor. The insurer you choose, the hospitals included in your policy and the level of cover you take out can all make a difference. Your age, postcode and excess will also affect the price.

So, if you're considering private health insurance in the North West, here's what to look out for.

Why consider private health insurance if you live in the North West?

Living in the North West means you are near an impressive range of private hospitals, specialist centres and advanced treatment. One of the main reasons people choose private health insurance is to get faster access to these facilities for eligible consultations, tests and treatment.

The difference in waiting times compared to NHS care can be significant. For example, the latest NHS waiting-time data for cardiology care at Blackpool Victoria Hospital reveals:

Cardiology first outpatient appointment: Average wait of 19 weeks, with 8 in 10 patients seen within 40 weeks.

Cardiology treatment: Average wait of 25 weeks, with 8 in 10 patients seen within 41 weeks.

That’s potentially a ten-month wait or more for surgeries such as pacemaker fittings, coronary angioplasty and heart valve repair.

With private health insurance, you could get quicker access to eligible treatment and choose from the hospitals, clinics and specialists included in your policy.

And with so many private facilities across the North West, you won't have to travel far. Whether you want to choose somewhere close to home or work, you can see a particular specialist or access advanced treatment right here in the region.

Ready to explore your options?

If you're looking for private health insurance in the North West, our specialists can compare suitable policies and help you find cover that gives you access to the hospitals and treatment you want.

Call Money Service free on 0800 144 4777 or request a call back to talk to an adviser.

The North West has some impressive private healthcare facilities

Across the North West, there are private hospitals and specialist clinics in many of the region's key towns and cities, giving you plenty of choice closer to home or work. Here’s just some of the private healthcare options you could access, depending on the insurer and policy you select:

Manchester: Here you’ll find The Christie Private Care, dedicated to specialist private cancer care, while Spire Manchester provides a broad range of private healthcare services. In addition to private hospitals, Spire Hale Clinic in Altrincham provides outpatient and day-case care, including consultant appointments, X-rays and ultrasound scans. The OrthTeam Centre in Manchester specialises in orthopaedics and offers MRI, X-ray, ultrasound and other diagnostic services.

Merseyside: Spire Liverpool Hospital and Fairfield Independent Hospital offer private healthcare services in and around the city, while Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral provides private hospital services across the River Mersey.

Preston: Fulwood Hall Hospital and Euxton Hall Hospital in Chorley provide private healthcare options across Preston and the surrounding area.

Blackpool and the Fylde Coast: Spire Fylde Coast Hospital provides private healthcare options for people living across the Fylde and wider Lancashire area.

Chester and Cheshire: Nuffield Health The Grosvenor Hospital in Chester and HCA Healthcare UK at The Wilmslow Hospital offer two excellent private healthcare options in the area.

East Lancashire: The Beardwood Hospital in Blackburn provides a private healthcare option for people in East Lancashire.

Lancaster: The Lancaster Hospital provides private healthcare further north.

So, whether you're in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Blackpool, Chester or further afield, there are excellent private healthcare options across the North West without necessarily having to travel to London.

Where is specialist healthcare treatment available in the North West?

The North West's private healthcare offering goes well beyond routine consultations and surgery. The region is home to specialist centres providing advanced treatment for cancer, heart and chest conditions and other complex diagnoses. Here are just a few examples to give you an idea of what’s available.

The Christie Private Care is a particularly strong example. Its specialist cancer teams treat common, rare and complex cancers, with surgeons working alongside specialists in radiotherapy, systemic anti-cancer therapies, interventional radiology and stem cell transplantation.

Its surgical services include open, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, as well as HIPEC with cytoreductive surgery for certain peritoneal cancers. HIPEC combines surgery with heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdominal cavity during the operation.

Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery

The Christie has also offered robotic-assisted surgery through its private service since 2010, using the da Vinci surgical system. The surgeon controls the robotic instruments from a console, allowing surgery to be carried out through a small number of incisions.

The technology is also available at Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral, giving private patients in the area access to this advanced technology without having to travel further afield.

Mako robotic-assisted surgery

Robotic technology is also used for orthopaedic treatment at Spire Manchester Hospital, where the Mako robotic arm assists with total knee, partial knee and total hip replacement. In fact, the hospital was the first in the North West to introduce Mako technology. Mako uses 3D CT-based planning to help surgeons personalise joint replacement surgery to the patient's anatomy, with the robotic arm providing enhanced control and precision during the procedure.

Further north, Spire Fylde Coast Hospital also offers Mako robotic-assisted surgery for knee replacement, giving patients in the Blackpool and The Fylde Coast area access to the technology locally.

ROSA robotic-assisted surgery

Spire Cheshire Hospital and Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral both offer the ROSA robotic system for knee replacement surgery. ROSA uses real-time data and precision guidance to help surgeons with implant positioning and alignment during knee replacement procedures. This gives patients another option for accessing advanced robotic-assisted orthopaedic treatment within the North West.

So, depending on your needs and your policy, private healthcare in the North West could give you access to highly specialist treatment without having to travel far.

How do private health insurance hospital lists work?

When comparing health insurance plans, it's worth looking beyond the insurer's name and checking exactly which hospitals and clinics are included in your cover. Hospital lists can vary significantly between policies, with some giving you a wide choice and others using a more restricted list to keep premiums lower.

Some insurers also charge a higher premium if you want access to hospitals in the Greater London area, so it's worth checking exactly what your policy includes. If there's a particular hospital or specialist you'd like to use, make sure they're covered.

You may also come across a Guided Hospital option. This is where your insurer considers factors such as where you live and the treatment you need before offering a choice of hospitals relevant to your claim. It means you retain some choice, while potentially keeping your premium lower than a policy with the widest possible hospital network.

How much does health insurance cost in the North West?

Your premium can depend on your age, postcode, level of cover, chosen claim excess level, underwriting option and the hospitals available under your policy.

Our latest quote examples show how much premiums can vary:

These examples are based on a 38-year-old choosing comprehensive cover, including inpatient, cancer and outpatient treatment, with a £100 excess, Guided Hospital option and moratorium underwriting. Quotes correct as of August 2026.

They are examples rather than typical prices, but they show how much quotes can vary depending on where you live and the cover you choose.

Under the same criteria to give you a comparison, quotes ranged from £67.66 to £115.89 in central Birmingham, £61.40 to £118.52 in central Bristol and £62.19 to £105.36 in Oxford.

Your own circumstances and the policy you choose will determine what you actually pay.

What should you consider when choosing health insurance in the North West?

The basics of private health insurance are broadly the same wherever you live, but your location matters when it comes to hospital access.

It's worth looking at:

Local hospitals: Are the private hospitals you'd realistically use included?

Hospital list: Would you prefer a wider choice or a more restricted list to help keep the premium down?

Outpatient cover: How much cover do you want for consultations, tests and other outpatient treatment?

Cancer cover: What level of cover is included and are there any limits or restrictions?

Excess: Would paying a higher excess help bring the premium within your budget?

Underwriting: How could your medical history affect what is covered?

Your budget: Does the policy give you the level of cover and access you're looking for at a price you're comfortable with?

Helping you find the right health insurance in the North West

With so many insurers, hospital lists and levels of cover to choose from, finding the right policy might seem like a lot of work. But you don’t have to work it all out yourself.

At Money Service, our specialist comparison and advice service can help you find cover based on what matters to you. That could mean access to a particular hospital, a wider choice of hospitals, comprehensive outpatient cover, or simply finding a policy that offers great value.

We’ll compare suitable policies from the UK’s leading insurers and explain the important differences, including the level of cover, hospital access, excess and price.

Call us on 0800 144 4777 and one of our specialist Health Insurance Advisers will talk you through your options and provide quotes from leading insurers. If you prefer, you can request a call back at a time that suits you.

FAQs

Is private health insurance worth it in the North West?

Private health insurance can give you access to eligible private treatment and a choice of private hospitals and specialists. Whether it's right for you will depend on your circumstances, budget and how you value access to private healthcare.

Does private health insurance include treatment at The Christie?

Yes, UK insurers typically offer access to The Christie Private Care, but this depends on the hospital list you select and terms of your policy. Check that the facility is included before taking out cover.

Can I choose which private hospital I use?

Usually, yes, but your choice will depend on the hospital list included with your policy. Some plans give you a set list of hospitals to choose from, while others offer a wider network across the UK. You may also have the option to choose a more limited hospital list to help keep your premium down.

Is private health insurance more expensive in Manchester?

Not necessarily. Your premium will depend on factors including age, postcode, cover level, excess and your preferred hospital list. Our quote examples show that prices can vary across different parts of the North West, and whilst the highest quotes found in the region are in Manchester, that doesn’t mean all quotes produced for people living there are high. Our qualified advisers can help you find the most competitive prices as part of our fee-free service.

Does private health insurance cover specialist treatment?

It can cover eligible specialist treatment, subject to your policy's terms, exclusions and limits. This can include specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and inpatient or day-patient treatment.

Can I use private healthcare without health insurance?

Yes. You can pay for private treatment yourself, but costs can add up. Health insurance can help cover eligible treatment, subject to the terms and limits of your policy.

How can I compare health insurance in the North West?

You can compare policies based on factors including price, hospital access, outpatient cover, excess, underwriting and the benefits included. Money Service can compare suitable options from leading UK insurers and explain the differences.