Discover how King’s College Hospital London brings world-class healthcare to the UAE and Saudi Arabia through state-of-the-art hospitals, specialist centers, and UK-trained medical teams.
Overview: King’s College Hospital London in the Gulf
King’s College Hospital (KCH), London, one of the UK’s leading teaching hospitals founded in 1840, has expanded its reach through overseas partnerships in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. With a 950-bed tertiary facility in London and multiple centers of excellence, KCH offers cutting-edge care across a range of specialties.
Through partnerships with private investors, KCH has developed state-of-the-art hospitals and outpatient clinics in Dubai and Jeddah, bringing UK-standard healthcare closer to patients in the Gulf region. This model reduces the need for residents to travel abroad for treatment while ensuring access to world-class medical expertise.
History of KCH’s Gulf Partnerships
KCH’s ties with the UAE began in 1979 when Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan contributed to establish the King’s Liver Research Centre, now among the top three liver specialist centers worldwide.
Thousands of UAE patients have since benefited from KCH London through its International and Private Patients Service, whose profits are reinvested into the NHS to enhance services.
In 2016, KCH entered the UAE via a joint venture with Al Tayer Group, Dubai Investments, and Ashmore Group, launching King’s College Hospital Dubai in 2019, a 100-bed multi-specialty tertiary hospital.
Similarly, KCH partnered with Saudi authorities, signing a collaboration with King Fahd Medical City, Riyadh in 2011 for nurse education and training. This partnership evolved into King’s College Hospital Jeddah, a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital inaugurated in February 2025.
KCH Overseas Partnership Model
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust cannot directly invest overseas, so its subsidiary, King’s Commercial, collaborates with private investors to develop hospitals abroad. While KCH London does not operate these facilities, it provides expertise, training, and governance support, including:
- Clinical advisory and guidance
- Multi-disciplinary consultations with UK specialists
- Quality assurance and alignment with NHS standards
- Staff training and recruitment support
- Procurement guidance for medical equipment
- Licensing use of the King’s College Hospital brand
This ensures high-quality, evidence-based care in Dubai and Jeddah while profits are reinvested into the NHS.
King’s College Hospital Dubai
Location: Dubai Hills Estate
Capacity: 100 beds (expanding to 200)
Accreditation: JCI-accredited
Satellite Clinics: Jumeirah, Marina
Key Specialties and Centers of Excellence:
- King’s Liver Centre (adult and pediatric liver transplants, pancreatobiliary disorders)
- Paediatrics & Paediatric Orthopaedics
- Cardiology & Cath Lab
- Orthopaedics
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Fetal Medicine
- Metabolic Diseases, Diabetes & Obesity (KIDEO)
- Advanced Parkinson’s Research
- Bariatric Surgery & Fatty Liver Programme
- Physiotherapy and Aesthetic Clinics
Most doctors are UK-trained NHS professionals, collaborating closely with London teams to maintain international standards.
King’s College Hospital Jeddah
Location: King Abdulaziz Road, Jeddah
Capacity: 150 beds (expandable to 250)
Centers of Excellence:
- Women’s Health, Obstetrics & IVF
- Orthopaedics
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
Other Services:
- Emergency Medicine & Critical Care
- Pathology & Laboratory Services
- Stem Cell Centre
- Medical Oncology & Neurological Sciences
- Men’s Health, Respiratory Medicine, Dialysis
- Rehabilitation Services
KCH Jeddah follows the London model of care, offering UK-standard clinical governance, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and cutting-edge technology.
Benefits of KCH Gulf Partnerships
- Access to UK-trained specialists and clinical expertise
- Multidisciplinary care aligned with NHS standards
- Centers of excellence for liver, women’s health, cardiology, and metabolic diseases
- Reduced need for patients to travel abroad for treatment
- Support for medical education, training, and knowledge transfer
These partnerships enhance healthcare in the Gulf region by combining advanced facilities, specialist talent, and evidence-based practices, creating world-class medical care accessible locally.
Conclusion
Through strategic partnerships, King’s College Hospital London is raising healthcare standards in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, providing state-of-the-art hospitals, UK-trained medical teams, and centers of excellence. These collaborations demonstrate the potential of global healthcare networks to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while strengthening medical education and clinical expertise in the Gulf region.
