Private hospital builds £22m extension to take on Harley Street

Work has begun on the capital's largest new private health development — which its owner says will rival Harley Street.

Up to now, Harley Street has been the top address for private medicine. But many of its buildings are listed and in a conservation area, so they are difficult to update to suit modern healthcare.

Keith Hague, the Wellington's chief executive, said: "People used to think Harley Street was the only place to see a top consultant but not so now. This will be the largest unit of its kind in the country attached to the largest private hospital in the country, where we treat all the most complex of illnesses. We have the best of Harley Street and much more besides."

Harley Street is run by the Howard de Walden estate, which owns the freehold of the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings. The estate's spokesman Simon Baynham agreed there were restrictions on development but said there was still huge demand from private firms wanting to open clinics.

Mr Baynham added: "Three hospitals have approached us who would like to open. They could go off to Edgware Road but they don't want to be there."

The new unit will focus on liver, head and neck and gynaecological cancers, and have a one-stop oncology service, plus a breast care service. The Wellington already provides brain and heart surgery and treats spinal injuries.

Medical notes

Harley Street has been a hub for doctors and medical practitioners for more than 150 years.
The area between Oxford Street and Marylebone Road is home to some of the most prestigious practices in the world.

In 1860, 20 doctors were based there, by 1914 there were nearly 200. By 1948 it was home to about 1,500 doctors, and today to 3,000.

One of the most famous to work there was Sir Henry Thompson in the 1870s. He specialised in the genito-urinary tract and was surgeon to the King of Brussels.