NNUH - Our vision Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals
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Private Patients

About NNUH:

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of acute clinical services for a catchment area of up over 1 million people. Our vision is “to provide the best care for every patient’’ reflecting the utmost importance that we attach to the quality of care and experience that each and every one of our patients receives. The NNUH provides specialist services in radiotherapy, paediatrics, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, rheumatology, medicine and surgery.

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students.

We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity. At the NNUH, we know the benefits diversity can bring to our organisation such as creativity, innovation and compassion. All of which have a direct impact towards our staff and patient experience. We are committed to being a Hospital for All – being equitable and inclusive, and a place where all feel a sense of belonging.

 

Why choose us:

At NNUH, we offer high-quality private healthcare in the trusted, safe, and familiar environment of your local NHS hospital. Our vision is to deliver excellent private patient care, reinvesting back into our NHS.

By choosing to have your treatment privately at NNUH, you benefit from:

  • Timely access to the care you need
  • Expert-led treatment supported by full NHS multidisciplinary teams (MDTs)
  • The reassurance of being in a hospital with excellent emergency services on-site
  • Continuity of care, often from the same clinicians delivering NHS services

Importantly, all income from private patient services is reinvested directly back into NHS care at NNUH. That means by choosing us, you’re not only funding the care you receive today but also supporting the future of your local NHS hospital — for yourself, your family, and your community.

 

What to expect

We are committed to providing outstanding care for our private patients, delivered by our highly experienced NHS teams.

While we do not currently have a dedicated private patient unit or ward, this is part of our long-term development plans. In the meantime:

  • You will be cared for by the same expert clinicians who deliver our high-quality NHS services.
  • Where possible, we aim to accommodate private patients in side rooms to enhance privacy and comfort. However, this cannot be guaranteed, as room allocation depends on clinical priorities and overall bed availability. You may be accommodated in the main ward area or bays during your stay.
  • Pre-operative and post-operative care may take place in standard NHS wards, depending on clinical demand.
  • Your procedure will take place on a dedicated private patient theatre list.

At NNUH, we believe that timely access to high-quality treatment is what matters most — and we are proud to offer that, close to home.

Additional Benefits for Private Patients

  • Discounted car parking: Private patient parking is validated to the minimum payment.
  • The reassurance of being treated in a full-service NHS hospital, with access to emergency services such as Critical Care and the High Dependency Unit, as well as advanced technology, specialist services, and experienced clinicians — all available on-site if needed.

Booking Process

Your consultant will submit a referral to our administrative team via their private medical secretary to schedule you for an outpatient appointment or surgery.
Please note: We are unable to plan or reserve any surgery dates until the referral has been received.

Once the referral is received and a surgery date has been scheduled, a member of our admin team will contact you to:

  • Discuss estimated fees
  • Take any required deposits
  • Provide information about the next steps, including pre-assessment if needed

Insurance/Self-funding

There are a variety of options for funding treatment at our hospital:

  • Self-funding patients welcome – you may wish to fund your own treatment.
  • Medical Insurance – if you have personal or employer medical insurance you will need to check that your policy covers the treatment to be undertaken
  • Private insurance: pre-authorisation required
  • Some procedures may not be covered by certain insurers – check with your provider first.

Pricing

We do not publish prices online, but our Private Patient Services Team can provide you with a personalised estimate once your clinical needs are known.

Please note, estimates may vary depending on:

  • Length of hospital stay
  • Use of consumables or specialist equipment
  • Implanted devices
  • Intraoperative findings or complications

To request an estimate,  please contact our dedicated Private Patient Admin Team – PrivatePatientsAdministration@nnuh.nhs.uk

Consultant fee

Please note the consultant and anaesthetist fee will be charged separately, any fees from the hospital will be invoiced separately.

Treatment Plan and Costs
Please be aware that your treatment plan may change as your care progresses. This may result in an increase or decrease in the overall cost. The charges outlined here are an estimate only. If there are any changes to your treatment plan prior to your procedure, these will be explained to you, along with a revised cost estimate.

We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have directly with your consultant or clinician before signing this agreement.
If you have any queries about your care, please contact your clinician or their secretary for further information.

  • Estimations are valid for 3 months from date of issue
  • Treatment may be withheld if payment is not made in accordance with the agreed terms

Paying for treatment

We welcome both insured and self-pay patients.

Self-pay

If you are a Self-pay patient, we ask that the estimate has been paid in advance of coming to hospital.

If you are paying your own account, it should be paid at least 2 days prior to arrival at the hospital. If we do not receive payment prior to the admission date, treatment may be rescheduled until funding is secured.

Medical insurance 

Medical Insurance Pre-Authorisation:
If you are receiving treatment through private medical insurance, it is essential that your insurer has specifically pre-authorised treatment at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

This applies in all cases, but especially if your treatment was originally planned at another facility and has since been moved to NNUH.

If your insurer has not provided specific authorisation for treatment at NNUH, there is a risk they may decline to cover the cost — and you may therefore be personally liable for the charges.

Patients having insured treatment with us will be required to provide all relevant insurance details to us prior to treatment. This must include the name of the insurance company, the policy number and the authorisation number.

If at a later date your insurance cover is identified as not appropriate for the treatment that was undertaken, you will be liable for all costs.

 

Consultants /healthcare professionals registered with practicing privileges:

Private care at NNUH is delivered by our own NHS consultants, all of whom hold practising privileges and have NHS contracts with the Trust.

  • All consultants are subject to annual scope of practice and indemnity reviews
  • Outcomes and performance are monitored via PHIN (Private Healthcare Information Network) in line with CMA requirements

PHIN (Private Hospital Information Network):

PHIN is the independent, government-mandated source of information about private healthcare. PHIN was appointed by the Competition and Markets.

Authority (CMA) as the Information Organisation (IO) tasked by statute of the Private Healthcare Investigation Order 2014 with publishing information about performance, outcomes and fees for private healthcare.

The CMA Order places obligations on private healthcare facilities to submit activity data to PHIN and obligations on consultants to provide fee information to PHIN. PHIN is required to publish activity quality and patient safety measures at both hospital and by consultant level on its public website.

Services we currently offer:

  • Outpatient services, day case operations and inpatient* cases (up to 5 night stay).
    *Inpatient requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on overall hospital bed availability. All referrals and proposed surgery dates are reviewed by senior nursing and management staff to ensure appropriate bed capacity.

Coming Soon

We are excited to announce that robotic surgery will soon be available to our patients. This innovative approach represents a significant advancement in surgical care and offers a range of benefits for eligible patients.

 

Procedures that require Patient Reported Outcome Measure Questionnaires (PROMS)

We are not currently offering any of the procedures listed below as private services. However, we hope to make them available in the coming months as part of our expanding service offering. To learn more about Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) please click here

  • Abdominoplasty
  • Augmentation mammoplasty
  • Blepharoplasty
  • Carpel Tunnel Release
  • Cataract Surgery
  • Hip replacement
  • Liposuction
  • Knee replacement
  • Reduction mammoplasty
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Shoulder replacement
  • Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

Cosmetic/Aesthetic Procedures

We do not offer any cosmetic/aesthetic surgery.  This is due to several important reasons

NHS Ethos

As a provider of private healthcare within an NHS Trust, our focus is on delivering medically necessary care. Elective cosmetic procedures fall outside the scope of the NHS’s core purpose and value.

Indemnity and Clinical Governance

Cosmetic procedures are not covered under the standard NHS Resolution indemnity. Any staff involved in cosmetic surgery would require separate, personal indemnity cover, which presents additional governance and risk management complexities

Resource Allocation and Capacity:

NHS hospitals are under constant pressure to meet the high demand for essential medical treatments. It is therefore vital that both our NHS and private services remain focused on medically indicated care, ensuring that clinical time, facilities, and staffing are prioritised for those who need it most.

 

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • How do I access private care at NNUH?

To access private care at NNUH, you will need a referral from a consultant or other healthcare professional. This is required before we can schedule any surgical procedures or outpatient attendances. Once we’ve received your referral, our Private Patient Services team will be in touch to arrange your appointments and answer any questions you may have.

  • Can I use my insurance?

You may be able to use private medical insurance, but it is not guaranteed that your treatment will be covered at NNUH. It’s essential that you contact your insurer before arranging any appointments to confirm you are pre-authorised for treatment here.

In addition, please check with our Private Patient Services team to ensure we have an agreement in place for the specific procedure you need. Not all treatments are covered, and not all insurers have arrangements with us — having insurance does not automatically mean you are covered for private care at NNUH.

  • What happens if my insurers don’t cover the full tariff?

If your insurer does not cover the full cost of your care, you may be responsible for paying the difference. Wherever possible, we will inform you of any expected shortfalls in advance so you can make an informed decision. It’s important to understand the estimated costs of your treatment and to check what level of cover your pre-authorisation provides. If there is a gap between the estimated cost and what your insurer will pay, you may choose to self-fund the difference. This will be your decision, and you can then choose whether or not to proceed with private treatment at NNUH.

  • Can I self-fund?

Yes, many of our patients choose to self-fund their treatment. You will be provided with a cost estimate based on your consultation and proposed treatment plan, which must be paid in full before your treatment takes place.

It’s important to understand that this is an estimate, not a fixed price. A further invoice may be issued after your treatment if any additional costs are incurred – for example, extended length of stay, extra procedures, or use of consumables.

  • Are your consultants also NHS staff?

Yes, all of our consultants and healthcare professionals (HCPs) offering private care with us are registered staff at NNUH or across our group model. This means you will receive the same high-quality care from experienced specialists who also work within the NHS

  • What happens if I need emergency care?

If you require unplanned emergency care during your private treatment, you will be transferred to the appropriate NHS service within the hospital to ensure you receive immediate and appropriate care without delay. Your consultant will complete a formal transfer of care to support this process.

  • How do I get a cost estimate?

Once you’ve had a consultation, a treatment plan has been agreed, and a referral has been received by our team, we will provide you with a clear cost estimate. This will include hospital charges and any known additional services or tests required at the point of referral.

  • Do I need a referral?

Yes, all patients must have a referral from a healthcare professional before accessing private care at NNUH. This ensures we have the necessary information to provide safe and appropriate treatment.

  • What happens if I stay in longer than expected?

If your length of stay is longer than initially planned or expected, and it is not due to an emergency, you or your insurance company will be responsible for any additional charges incurred. It is important to note that most insurance companies require ongoing communication to obtain pre-authorisation for any extended stay

Contact details:

📧 privatepatientadministration@nnuh.nhs.uk
📞 01603 286482 / 01603 647852

Terms and conditions/governance etc:

  • Any policies
  • Documentation
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Patient rights and responsibilities

The NHS Act 1977 defines a private patient as someone who agrees to pay charges for NHS services, including accommodation and care, and who is entitled to choose their own practitioner and the timing of their treatment. This commitment to payment is the core distinction, granting the patient access to benefits like practitioner choice, a right not typically available with standard NHS care

  • Data protection (GDPR compliance)

PHIN, the Private Healthcare Information Network, uses UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 to govern how it handles patient and consultant data, ensuring transparency and the lawful processing of information to improve