How long is the NHS wait for cataract surgery in the LS6 postcode?

Patients living in the LS6 postcode (Headingley (LS6)) are typically referred to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The current median NHS wait for cataract surgery across these trust is approximately 7 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 25 weeks. NHS England publishes wait times at the trust level, not the outcode level — so this is the closest accurate breakdown for LS6 residents.

Which NHS trust serves LS6 residents?

LS6 (Headingley (LS6)) is part of the LS postcode area, which is primarily served by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Under NHS Patient Choice rules you can also ask your GP to refer you to a different trust with a shorter wait — this is your legal right.

How much does private cataract surgery cost near LS6?

Private cataract surgery in the UK typically costs £1,750–£4,500, with a typical price around £2,700. Leeds has private hospitals from Spire, Nuffield, Circle, or HCA Healthcare offering this procedure with a typical wait of 2–4 weeks. Always confirm the exact total cost (including consultation, surgery, anaesthesia, follow-ups) before booking.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside LS6?

Yes. Under NHS Patient Choice rules you can ask your GP to refer you to any NHS trust in England — not just the one closest to your home. If a trust elsewhere has a shorter waiting list, you can request a referral there. Travel costs for treatment further from home are your own responsibility.

Cataract surgery in LS6 (Headingley (LS6))

If you live in the LS6 postcode (Headingley (LS6)), your GP will most likely refer you to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The current median NHS wait for cataract surgery is 7 weeks. Private treatment from £1,750.

NHS

Faster than the national average

7 weeks

Median wait for LS6 residents

92nd percentile wait:: 25 weeks
Patients waiting:: 4,582
Seen within 18 weeks:: 82%

Free at the point of use. Aggregated from 1 NHS trust serving the LS area.

Private

Days, not weeks

£2,700

Typical UK private price

Lowest published:: £1,750
Highest published:: £4,500
Typical wait:: 2–4 weeks

Self-fund or use health insurance. Major UK groups: Spire, Nuffield, Circle, HCA.

Important context

NHS waiting-time figures are published at trust or specialty level and private prices are indicative ranges. Local eligibility, referral route, clinical urgency, provider package and insurance status can change the real-world choice. TreatCompare is for comparison only and is not medical, legal or financial advice.

Source type: Official NHS waiting-time data and private price model
Primary source: NHS England Referral to Treatment waiting-time data
Reporting period: Mar 2026
Last updated: 2026-05-22
Figure type: Mixed sources
Use: Research and comparison only

Are you a clinic, provider or data owner?

If you believe information on this page is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete or presented without necessary context, contact us with the page URL and supporting evidence. We review correction requests promptly, but they are not automatically accepted.

Request a correction View methodology

Next step

Compare wider options around LS6

Outcode pages are precise landing answers. Move users into the wider postcode, city, finance or provider route.

Wider LS areaPostcode-area wait data Calculate wait vs costWeeks saved and monthly cost Eyecare pricesProvider prices and next steps

Compare your route

Support the LS6 research path

Outcode visitors often compare the exact local page, the city page, the procedure overview and a referral route. This block keeps those moves one click away.

Finance options

LS6 local pageCurrent7 week NHS median wait for Headingley (LS6).LS postcode areaWider catchment view before drilling back into outcodes.Leeds city pageCity-level NHS wait, trust context and private cost range.National overviewCompare this local wait against other cities.Leeds private GPMove from research into assessment and referral options.

Calculator

Is going private worth it for cataract surgery?

Adjust the wait and quote to estimate weeks saved, cost per week saved and simple monthly equivalents.

4 weeks saved

NHS wait

7 wk

Private quote

Private wait

3 wk

Time saved

4 weeks

Cost per week saved

£675

Monthly equivalent

£225/mo

or £113/mo over 24 months

This is a planning aid only. Actual quotes, insurance coverage and finance terms vary by provider.

How outcode waits work: NHS England publishes wait times per NHS trust, not per outcode. LS6 sits inside the wider LS postcode area, and patients are typically referred to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Under NHS Patient Choice you can ask to be referred to any trust in England — not just the local one.