Cosmedicare, the Scotland-based private healthcare provider behind St Ellen’s Hospitals is set to post record profits in its tenth year and has secured planning approval from West Lothian Council for a multi-million hospital expansion in Livingston, signalling a major new phase of growth for the business.
The cosmetic surgery business, which is the UK’s only independent female founded hospital established in 2016 by Gill Baird MBA, has rebounded strongly following a major strategic reset after a sudden shift in the private healthcare market, and is forecasting £6 million in revenue and £1.4 million profit for the current financial year.
The milestone comes at the end of a defining year for the business, which reported turnover of £4.7 million for the year to March 2025 (down from £5.1 million in 2024). Cosmedicare has also secured planning permission for a significant extension to its Livingston hospital, paving the way for the next phase of growth.
The approved development will see the erection of a new 10,000 sq. ft two-storey extension at St Ellen’s Hospital on the Kirkton Campus, designed to increase surgical capacity and support the delivery of more complex procedures.
The recovery follows a £1.2 million drop in bariatric surgery revenue last year which was driven by the rapid rise in weight-loss medications, which forced the business to pivot its model and refocus on higher-margin plastic and reconstructive procedures.
Founder Gill Baird took direct control of the business during this period, leading a full operational restructure, renegotiating supplier contracts, improving theatre utilisation and repositioning the company’s clinical offering.
As a result, Cosmedicare has delivered an 8% increase in gross profit margins, equivalent to approximately £400,000, alongside improved efficiency and stronger patient conversion.
Commenting on the milestone, Gill Baird, founder and MD of Cosmedicare, said:
“Reaching ten years in business is a huge moment for us, but what matters more is how we’ve got here. The last year has been one of the most challenging we’ve faced, but it’s also been the most important in shaping the future of Cosmedicare.
“We made some difficult decisions, refocused the business and doubled down on what we do best – safe, consultant-led surgery with strong clinical governance. That clarity has put us back on a strong financial footing and given us confidence to invest in the next phase of growth.”
The expansion of St Ellen’s Hospital reflects growing demand for private healthcare services, particularly as NHS waiting lists remain under pressure. Cosmedicare has responded with initiatives including a dedicated NHS waiting list programme, offering faster access to surgery at competitive self-pay rates.
The business now employs 31 staff across its Livingston and Glasgow hospitals and delivers a range of services including cosmetic, reconstructive and gender-affirming surgery, orthopaedics and private GP care.
Looking ahead, the planned Livingston expansion will support increased surgical capacity and is expected to play a key role in the company’s longer-term ambition to develop additional specialist services, including orthopaedics and longer-stay procedures.
Gill Baird, added:
“This next phase is about scaling responsibly. We’re not chasing growth for the sake of it, we’re building capacity in areas where there is real patient need and where we can maintain the highest standards of care.
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“The opportunity for private healthcare in Scotland is significant, but it must be done properly. Our focus is on sustainable growth, strong governance and delivering the kind of service patients can trust.”
As it enters its second decade, Cosmedicare is positioning itself firmly as a leading independent provider in Scotland’s private healthcare market, combining clinical expertise with a disciplined commercial approach and clear expansion strategy.
For more information, visit https://cosmedicare.uk/
