How long is the NHS wait for colonoscopy in the AL postcode area?

Patients living in the AL postcode area (St Albans) are typically referred to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. The current median NHS wait for colonoscopy across these trust is approximately 10 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 32 weeks. There are 7,347 patients currently waiting on the Gastroenterology pathway across these trusts.

Which NHS trust covers the AL postcode?

AL postcodes are primarily served by Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. NHS England publishes waiting time data per trust, not per postcode, so this is the closest accurate breakdown for St Albans 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 colonoscopy cost near St Albans?

Private colonoscopy in the UK typically costs £1,300–£2,800, with a typical price around £1,850. 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 AL?

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 AL 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.

Colonoscopy in the AL postcode area

If you live in the AL postcode area (St Albans), your GP will most likely refer you to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. The current median NHS wait for colonoscopy is 10 weeks. Private treatment from £1,300.

NHS

Faster than the national average

10 weeks

Median wait for AL residents

92nd percentile wait:: 32 weeks
Patients waiting:: 7,347
Seen within 18 weeks:: 71%

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

Private

Days, not weeks

£1,850

Typical UK private price

Lowest published:: £1,300
Highest published:: £2,800
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

Check nearby options for AL residents

Postcode pages answer the wait question. These links help users compare wider local options and private routes.

Compare all citiesTrust-level wait breakdown Calculate wait vs costWeeks saved and monthly cost Private GP referralStart with a referral

Calculator

Is going private worth it for colonoscopy?

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

7 weeks saved

NHS wait

10 wk

Private quote

Private wait

3 wk

Time saved

7 weeks

Cost per week saved

£264

Monthly equivalent

£154/mo

or £77/mo over 24 months

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

How postcode waits work: NHS England publishes wait times per NHS trust, not per postcode. We have mapped AL postcodes to the trust that most commonly accept St Albans 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.

1 NHS trust serving AL postcodes

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust RAL	10 wk	32 wk	7,347	71%