The private clinic market - Italy

The global private clinic market, valued at $4.7 trillion in 2020, is anticipated to expand at a 6.7% annual rate, reaching $7.4 trillion by 2027. The Asia-Pacific region is projected to experience the most significant growth due to increasing health concerns and expenditure. In Italy, private healthcare spending is rising across all income levels, fueled by a trend toward chronic diseases.

The Italian Private Clinic Market: Key Trends and Figures

In Italy, the private clinic market is thriving, accounting for nearly a quarter of the nation's total healthcare expenditure. Annual turnover for this sector is substantial, as the top private hospital groups alone generate revenues approximating between €3.5 and €4.0 billion. Moreover, the population has been gradually shifting its healthcare choices towards private clinics, not just the affluent but also those with lower incomes. Chronic diseases, high specialization, and long waiting times in public health facilities are some of the key factors pushing people towards private health services. Evidently, the private clinic market has been particularly appealing due to the specialization and research some facilities offer, leading to an increase in medical tourism. The country has witnessed an increase in private healthcare spending to the tune of approximately 24 percent of overall healthcare expenditure, an increase of about 2 percent compared to the preceding year. Italy's demographic trends play a significant role in shaping private clinic demand. The nation's population, which is around 60 million, is nearing a V-shaped population pyramid because of declining birth rates coupled with increasing longevity—a significant portion, about 23.2 percent, are individuals above 65 years old. Household incomes impact private healthcare decisions; Italian households average an annual income ranging between €39,000 and €47,000. The satisfaction rate with medical care during hospitalization remains high among Italians, with more than 86 percent expressing contentment. However, certain dissatisfactions like long waiting lists and dated medical facilities show that 75.5 percent and 42.2 percent of the population respectively find these as major inconveniences. Annually, roughly between 950,000 and 1,050,000 hospitalizations occur in private facilities across Italy. Interestingly, the use of private care in Italy does not necessarily correlate with socio-professional categories. For instance, the usage rate of private care remains fairly uniform across managers, blue-collar workers, and employees regardless of whether they work in private or public sectors. Regarding the regional distribution, southern Italy, particularly Campania, accounts for a significant 27.3 percent of all private clinics in Italy. The northwest and central regions follow closely behind. In terms of human resources, Italy boasts the second highest number of doctors in the EU with over 400,000 registered physicians. Personnel costs in private healthcare facilities amount to approximately €2.7 billion, while investment in capital assets reaches over €4.3 billion for tangible assets and €651 million for intangible assets.

Prominent Pioneers in the Italian Private Clinic Sector

Italy's private clinic landscape comprises a diverse array of organizations, each renowned for their contributions to healthcare delivery, technological advancement, and specialized services. Here is an overview of the leading players that are setting the benchmarks in the market.

San Donato Group: Established in 1957, the San Donato Group has emerged as a giant in Italy's private hospital sector. Born out of Pavia and expanded under Giuseppe Rotelli's leadership, this entity has made significant strides in scientific research and university education, fostering collaborative efforts with Italian academic institutions. With a network that includes diagnostic centers and nineteen hospitals along with three IRCCS, mainly in Lombardy and some in Emilia-Romagna, the group upholds a commitment to clinical excellence and innovation.

Humanitas Group S.p.A.: With its origins dating back to 1996, Humanitas stands as a paragon of healthcare specialization. Known also for its highly advanced technological infrastructure and comprehensive range of treatments across various medical disciplines, Humanitas exemplifies an integrated approach to patient care. Their illustrious reputation has garnered international acclaim, with Harvard University recognizing their organizational model's trailblazing mix of economic sustainability, development, and social responsibility.

Gruppo Villa Maria S.p.A. (GVM): GVM, from its initial steps with Villa Maria Hospital, has matured into a healthcare colossus, presenting a suite of specialized hospitals, polyclinics, and medical centers across Italy and abroad. Its commitment to offering the highest quality medical services is evident in its state-of-the-art facilities and a roster of specialists renowned internationally.

KOS S.p.A.: KOS Group emerged in 2002 and paved its way through strategic acquisitions and the establishment of new care facilities. With a keen eye on innovation, they have integrated services such as telemedicine throughout their operational areas, streamlining the delivery of healthcare solutions.

Garofalo Health Care S.p.A.: This group, formed in 2000, is distinguished as the first listed private entity in the Italian healthcare sector with a focus on 'best in class' management performance. Their expansive network of 37 healthcare facilities extends high-quality, diversified health services, armed with cutting-edge technologies and qualified professionals.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 26/02/2024

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Total number of Private, nonprofit and for-profit hospitals
• Evolution Number of Private Hospitals in Italy
• Number of facilities by type of care provided
• Breakdown of the population
• Evolution of median household income
• Average monthly health expenditure per household, by number of members
• Reasons for dissatisfaction with the NHS
• Satisfaction with various aspects of hospitalization (very and fairly satisfied)
• Satisfaction with medical care during hospitalization (very and fairly satisfied)
• Clinical Activity of Public and Private Health Facilities Delivered by Specialty Branch
• Average length of stay in private hospitals in Italy, by type of care
• Percentage incidence of the accredited private sector on total NHS beds, by branch
• Number of Private Hospitals and Clinics, by city
• Health Care Personnel in Private Facilities Belonging to AIOP
• Turnover of the top 10 Italian Hospital Groups
• The most expensive cities for private health care, in percentage difference from Turin