Circle

What Circle does

Circle Health Group Ltd is the UK's largest private hospital network, operating 15+ acute care facilities across England and Scotland under brands including The Alexandra Hospital, Ross Hall Hospital, Bath Clinic, The Blackheath Hospital, and The Princess Margaret Hospital. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Bath, the company delivers elective surgery, specialist consultations, and comprehensive diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, nuclear medicine, PET CT) across orthopaedics, cardiology, gynaecology, general surgery, ophthalmology, urology, dermatology, and ENT. It also runs private GP services, health assessments, an international patient program, and the Healthfirst corporate healthcare vertical.

The business operates across six revenue streams: direct self-pay treatment with 0% finance options, private medical insurance billing through partnerships with all major UK insurers (AXA, Aviva, Bupa, Healix, Vitality, WPA, Patient Access), NHS England commissioning contracts, corporate occupational health via Healthfirst, international patient services, and private GP appointments. Distribution combines online self-service booking, telephone contact center, walk-in hospital visits, insurance referrals, and NHS commissioning. The company is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification, and reports 5,001-10,000 employees. Massoud Fouladi is listed as founder and Chief Medical Officer; the company is privately held with no disclosed parent or institutional owner, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Circle

Legal name

Circle Health Group Ltd

Website

https://circlehealth.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Circle Health Group operates the UK's largest private hospital network, running 15+ acute care hospitals across England and Scotland. It delivers elective surgery, diagnostics, and specialist consultations to self-pay patients, insured patients, NHS referrals, corporate clients, and international patients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Healthcare Services

NAICS

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (6221), General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (622110)

SIC

Services-Hospitals (8060), Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062)

akta.pro primary industry

Private/For-Profit Hospital Systems (HLAFAAAF)

Keywords

• Private healthcare services
• Hospital network
• Surgical specialties
• Diagnostic imaging
• Private GP services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bath

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Self-Pay Private Treatment: One-time payment for private medical procedures by individual patients, with 0% finance options and flexible payment plans available to spread treatment costs over time.
2. Private Health Insurance: Partnership with major UK health insurers (AXA, Aviva, Bupa, Healix, Vitality, WPA, Patient Access) to provide treatment covered under insurance policies.
3. NHS Patient Services: Services provided to NHS patients through NHS England patient programs, generating revenue from NHS commissioning contracts.
4. Corporate Healthcare Services: Healthfirst corporate healthcare program providing occupational health and employee wellness services to businesses.
5. International Patient Services: Dedicated services for international patients including liaison teams, treatment planning, and comprehensive care coordination.
6. Private GP Services: Private general practitioner appointments for patients seeking immediate or specialized primary care access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Circle Health Group operates the UK's largest private hospital network with 15+ hospitals across England and Scotland, delivering acute care, specialist surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging, and private GP services to self-pay patients, insured patients, NHS-referred patients, and international patients. The core offering spans elective surgeries across specialties (orthopaedics, cardiology, gynaecology, ophthalmology, urology, dermatology, ENT, general surgery) supported by in-house diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, nuclear medicine, PET CT), with flexible 0% finance payment options and partnerships with all major UK private health insurers.

Product overview

Circle Health Group operates as a unified private healthcare platform offering a network of 15 hospitals across the UK, combining acute care facilities with specialized treatment centers and diagnostic services. The core offering centers on the hospital network providing surgical procedures across specialties including orthopaedics, cardiology, gynaecology, general surgery, ophthalmology, urology, dermatology, and ENT. Diagnostic imaging services (MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, nuclear medicine, PET CT) support the clinical services. Additional offerings include private GP services, health assessments, NHS patient pathways, and international patient services. The platform provides flexible payment options including 0% finance plans and accepts major UK insurance providers (AXA, Aviva, Bupa, Healix, Vitality, WPA). The company positions itself as the UK's largest private hospital network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Circle Health Group Hospitals A network of 15 private hospitals across the UK offering acute care, specialist treatments, diagnostic imaging, and surgical procedures across multiple medical specialties for self-pay, insured, NHS-referred, and international patients.
• Orthopaedics (Bones & Joints) Surgical and non-surgical treatment for musculoskeletal conditions including hip replacement, knee replacement, and knee arthroscopy procedures, delivered to self-pay and insured patients across the hospital network.
• Cardiology (Heart) Diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions including consultations, diagnostic testing, and interventional cardiac procedures for private patients.
• Gynaecology (Reproductive Health) Women's health services covering reproductive health, menstrual disorders, fertility assessment, and gynaecological surgical procedures.
• General Surgery Surgical services including hernia repair, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), colonoscopy, and breast surgery.
• Ophthalmology (Eye Care) Eye care services including cataract surgery, diagnostic eye examinations, and treatment for various ocular conditions.
• Urology (Urinary Health) Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract conditions in both male and female patients, including surgical interventions.
• Dermatology (Skin) Skin health services including dermatology consultations, skin cancer screening, and treatment for various dermatological conditions.
• ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) Otorhinolaryngology services for conditions affecting ears, nose, and throat including surgical procedures and consultations.
• Diagnostic Imaging Services Comprehensive imaging capabilities including MRI scanning, CT scanning, ultrasound, X-ray, nuclear medicine, and PET CT scanning, supporting clinical pathways across the hospital network.
• Health Assessments Private health check assessments providing comprehensive health screening and preventive care evaluations.
• Private GP Services Private general practitioner appointments for consultations, prescriptions, and primary healthcare needs.
• International Patient Services Dedicated services for international patients including liaison teams, treatment coordination, and support throughout the healthcare journey.
• Healthfirst (Corporate Healthcare) Corporate healthcare services providing occupational health, employee wellness programs, and business health solutions to UK employers.
• Flexible Payment Plans 0% finance options and monthly payment plans enabling patients to spread the cost of private treatment over time.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-star patient ratings on Google reviews

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AXAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAXA is a major UK health insurance provider that covers treatment at Circle Health Group hospitals. Patients with AXA private health insurance can access Circle Health Group facilities for consultations, diagnostics, and surgical procedures.
• AvivacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviva provides private health insurance coverage for treatment at Circle Health Group hospitals. Policyholders can access Circle Health Group's network of specialists and facilities.
• BupacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBupa is a leading UK health insurance provider partnering with Circle Health Group to provide covered treatment at their hospital network.
• HealixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealix provides health insurance and healthcare services, working with Circle Health Group to provide treatment for their policyholders.
• VitalitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVitality health insurance covers treatment at Circle Health Group hospitals, providing policyholders access to the private hospital network.
• Patient AccesscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPatient Access is a health insurance provider that covers treatment at Circle Health Group facilities.
• WPAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWPA (Western Provident Association) provides private health insurance that covers treatment at Circle Health Group hospitals.
• NHS EnglandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCircle Health Group provides NHS-funded treatment to patients through NHS England commissioning arrangements, allowing NHS patients to access private hospital facilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KIMS Hospital: KIMS Hospital is Kent's largest independent private hospital. As a regional direct competitor, it overlaps with Circle's specialty surgical offering, diagnostics, and NHS commissioned services in the Southeast.
• Spire Healthcare: Spire Healthcare is the largest listed UK private hospital group, operating around 39 hospitals across the UK. It is a direct competitor to Circle Health Group across self-pay, insured, and NHS-commissioned elective work.
• Nuffield Health: Nuffield Health is a UK not-for-profit private hospital network with 30+ hospitals and a strong fitness/wellness offering. It competes head-to-head with Circle in self-pay and insured hospital care across England.
• Ramsay Health Care UK: Ramsay Health Care UK is the UK arm of Australian-listed Ramsay Health Care, operating around 34 hospitals. It is a direct competitor to Circle in private acute care, diagnostics, and NHS elective partnerships.
• HCA Healthcare UK: HCA UK operates several leading private hospitals in London and Manchester (e.g., The Wellington, The Harley Street Clinic). It competes directly with Circle for high-acuity private patients and complex surgical cases in major metros.
• BMI Healthcare: BMI Healthcare is one of the UK's largest private hospital operators, running 50+ facilities under Circle Health Group's ownership as of 2019. It is a directly comparable private acute care network with overlapping specialties and NHS commissioning exposure.
• Aspen Healthcare: Aspen Healthcare operates a network of private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostics centers across the UK. It is a direct competitor in private surgical care, particularly in the Midlands and Southeast where Circle also has facilities.
• Cromwell Hospital: Cromwell Hospital is a major London private hospital offering complex care across multiple specialties. It competes with Circle's London sites (Blackheath, Clementine Churchill) for insured and self-pay patients in the capital.
• New Victoria Hospital: New Victoria Hospital is an independent private hospital in southwest London offering surgical, diagnostic, and outpatient services. It is a smaller but directly comparable private acute care provider in the Circle catchment area.

Broad incumbents

• Bupa: Bupa is both a major UK private health insurer and a provider of health services (including clinics and care homes). It is a key Circle partner for insured patients but also operates its own provider assets, making it a broad incumbent in the same ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CircleHospital
• Facebookfacebook.com/circlepartnership

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Circle