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

Patients living in the SE postcode area (South-East London) are typically referred to Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust or Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The current median NHS wait for cataract surgery across these trusts is approximately 5 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 27 weeks. There are 3,884 patients currently waiting on the Ophthalmology pathway across these trusts.

Which NHS trust covers the SE postcode?

SE postcodes are primarily served by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. NHS England publishes waiting time data per trust, not per postcode, so this is the closest accurate breakdown for South-East 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 South-East 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 SE?

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 SE 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 SE postcode area

If you live in the SE postcode area (South-East London), your GP will most likely refer you to Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust or Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The current median NHS wait for cataract surgery is 5 weeks. Private treatment from £1,995.

NHS

Faster than the national average

5 weeks

Median wait for SE residents

92nd percentile wait:: 27 weeks
Patients waiting:: 3,884
Seen within 18 weeks:: 1464%

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 SE postcodes to the trusts that most commonly accept South-East 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 SE postcodes

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust RJ1	10 wk	27 wk	3,884	2927%
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust RJ2	0 wk	0 wk	0	0%

See the full South-East 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 South-East London →

Cataract surgery in the SE postcode area

NHS trusts serving SE postcodes

See the full South-East London city breakdown

Other postcode areas in London

Other procedures for SE postcodes