NHS Waiting Times vs Private UK 2026
Compare current NHS waiting times against private treatment costs for 17 of the most common procedures across 30 English cities. NHS data refreshed monthly from official NHS England Referral to Treatment statistics.
Prices are collected from provider websites and verified against GPhC, CQC and GMC registers. How our data works →
According to TreatCompare analysis of NHS England RTT data, this hub compares 17 common private procedures across 30 English cities using official wait data and published private price ranges.
According to TreatCompare analysis, NHS waits and private prices vary most by procedure and location, so postcode or city pages are the highest-confidence way to compare local wait time against self-pay cost.
According to TreatCompare analysis, the most conversion-ready NHS vs private route is postcode lookup, then procedure comparison, then provider or calculator action.
NHS England RTT Waiting Times Statistics, Mar 2026 data. Last updated 2026-06-05.
Quick answer
Updated May 2026NHS vs private comparisons are most useful when you compare the local NHS wait for the procedure against the likely private self-pay cost and referral route.
- Use postcode or city pages for the most relevant NHS wait estimate.
- Compare the full private package cost, including consultation and follow-up.
- Check whether a private GP referral or direct self-referral is accepted.
UK comparison next step
Compare local NHS waits with private starting prices
- NHS eligibility varies by treatment and location.
- Private prices usually depend on provider, anaesthetic, hospital and aftercare.
- Finance may be available, but total cost still matters.
Sources and updates
How this page is sourced
Sources
- NHS England referral-to-treatment waiting time data
- Published private hospital and provider price information
- TreatCompare compiled NHS vs private pricing dataset
Methodology: We compare local NHS wait estimates with published private starting prices and common cost ranges. Waits and private quotes can change by provider, hospital, anaesthetic and aftercare needs.
Caveat: This page is for cost comparison and planning. It is not medical advice and does not assess NHS eligibility.
Cost FAQs
How do I compare NHS wait time with private cost?
Compare the local NHS wait estimate with the likely private package price. The decision is usually about time saved, total cost and whether private treatment is clinically suitable.
What does a private procedure price usually include?
It varies by provider. Consultation, diagnostics, anaesthetic, hospital fees and follow-up may be included or charged separately.
Will going private remove me from the NHS waiting list?
Self-funding private care does not automatically remove you from NHS care. Ask your NHS team or GP how your local pathway handles private treatment.
Are private treatment prices fixed?
Not always. Published prices are often starting prices or typical package prices, and the final quote can change after assessment.
Compare next
Compare NHS waits, private treatment costs and local referral options.
Surgery and imaging depth
Procedure searches where price depth should compound
Private surgery and diagnostic scan searches need provider price examples, body-area variants, NHS wait context and quote-inclusion checks.
| Search target | Price signal | Depth angle | Next data point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private MRI scan cost UK | Body-area MRI rows and provider-published scan prices | With contrast, multiple regions and reporting fee differences | Provider examples for Vista, Nuffield, Spire, Circle and local imaging centres |
| Private X-ray cost UK | Plain-film imaging from lower-cost outpatient routes | Body part, report fee and referral requirement | Walk-in X-ray routes and hospital-group add-ons |
| Gallbladder surgery cost UK | Package-price private hospital rows | Consultation, anaesthetic, hospital stay and aftercare inclusions | Provider-by-provider package examples and excess policy notes |
| Colonoscopy cost UK | Diagnostic endoscopy rows | Sedation, biopsy, polyp removal and histology extras | Hospital and endoscopy-centre add-on fee capture |
| CT and ultrasound scan cost UK | CT, ultrasound and body-area scan rows | Contrast, multiple areas and consultant report timing | Separate ultrasound body-part pricing and same-day scan availability |
Private procedure cost guides
Plain-English cost guides for the highest-impression private healthcare searches.
Private knee replacement cost UK
Total and partial knee replacement price ranges, inclusions and quote questions.
Private cataract surgery cost UK
Single-eye and bilateral cataract surgery pricing, lens choices and follow-up checks.
Private hip replacement cost UK
Hip replacement price ranges, hospital package inclusions and rehabilitation costs.
Private physiotherapy cost UK
Session fees, assessment pricing and post-surgery rehab budgeting.
Private GP cost UK
Appointment, referral-letter and same-day private GP fee context.
Orthopaedic surgery
Knee replacement surgery
Total or partial knee joint replacement for severe arthritis or joint damage.
Hip replacement surgery
Total hip replacement for arthritis, fracture, or degenerative joint disease.
Carpal tunnel release
Surgical decompression of the median nerve at the wrist for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Bunion surgery
Hallux valgus correction (osteotomy or fusion) for painful bunions.
Shoulder arthroscopy
Keyhole surgery to repair rotator cuff tears, labral tears, or impingement.
Eye surgery
General surgery
Hernia repair
Surgical repair of inguinal, umbilical, hiatus or incisional hernia, often laparoscopic.
Varicose vein treatment
Endovenous laser, radiofrequency ablation, or sclerotherapy for varicose veins.
Gallbladder removal
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy — removal of the gallbladder, usually for gallstones.
Gynaecology
ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat)
Diagnostic scans
Colonoscopy
Endoscopic examination of the large bowel, often with biopsy or polyp removal.
MRI scan
Magnetic resonance imaging — non-radiation diagnostic scan for soft tissue.
CT scan
Computed tomography — high-detail X-ray cross-sections of the body.
X-ray
Plain-film diagnostic imaging, commonly used for bones, joints, chest and dental referral checks.
Ultrasound scan
Diagnostic ultrasound scan for soft tissue, abdominal, pelvic, MSK or vascular assessment.
Cardiology
Find your local wait by postcode
82 English postcode areas mapped to their primary NHS trust. Pick yours to see the local wait time and private cost.
Use this data in your own work
TreatCompare publishes the underlying NHS waits dataset under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Free to use with attribution. Refreshed monthly.
Sources & further reading
- NHS England – Referral to Treatment waiting times — Monthly RTT statistics by trust and specialty
- NICE – Guide to NHS waiting times — Waiting time standards and healthcare access guidance
- NHS Constitution for England — 18-week treatment standard and patient rights
Data source: NHS England RTT Waiting Times Statistics, Mar 2026. Last updated 2026-06-05. NHS waiting time data from NHS England RTT statistics, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Private price ranges are typical published figures from major UK private hospital groups (Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health Group, Ramsay Health Care UK and other major providers). Coverage is currently NHS England only. See our methodology for full details.