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

Patients living in the NW postcode area (North-West London) are typically referred to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust or Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The current median NHS wait for cataract surgery across these trusts is approximately 12 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 37 weeks. There are 12,323 patients currently waiting on the Ophthalmology pathway across these trusts.

Which NHS trust covers the NW postcode?

NW postcodes are primarily served by Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. NHS England publishes waiting time data per trust, not per postcode, so this is the closest accurate breakdown for North-West London residents. 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 North-West London?

Private cataract surgery in the UK typically costs £1,995–£4,500, with a typical price around £2,700. Most major UK cities have 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.

Will going private affect my NHS care if I live in NW?

No. You can self-fund private treatment without losing your place on the NHS waiting list and without affecting your future NHS care. Many patients use private providers to access faster surgery while keeping the NHS option as a free backup.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside the NW area?

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 the NW postcode area

If you live in the NW postcode area (North-West London), your GP will most likely refer you to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust or Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The current median NHS wait for cataract surgery is 12 weeks. Private treatment from £1,995.

NHS

Faster than the national average

12 weeks

Median wait for NW residents

92nd percentile wait:: 37 weeks
Patients waiting:: 12,323
Seen within 18 weeks:: 4309%

Free at the point of use. Aggregated from 2 NHS trusts.

Private

Days, not weeks

£2,700

Typical UK private price

Lowest published:: £1,995
Highest published:: £4,500
Typical wait:: 2–4 weeks

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

How postcode waits work: NHS England publishes wait times per NHS trust, not per postcode. We have mapped NW postcodes to the trusts that most commonly accept North-West London residents. Your actual wait depends on which trust your GP refers you to — and under NHS Patient Choice you can ask to be referred to any trust in England, not just the local one.

NHS trusts serving NW postcodes

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust RAL	12 wk	37 wk	6,960	4720%
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust RYJ	10 wk	35 wk	5,363	3898%

See the full North-West London city breakdown

Treatcompare also publishes a per-city version of this comparison with full NHS trust details and city-wide aggregates.

Cataract surgery in North-West London →

Cataract surgery in the NW postcode area

NHS trusts serving NW postcodes

See the full North-West London city breakdown

Other postcode areas in London

Other procedures for NW postcodes