How long is the NHS wait for colonoscopy in London?

The current median NHS wait for colonoscopy in London (across 9 NHS trusts) is approximately 11 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 45 weeks. There are 34,965 patients currently waiting on the Gastroenterology pathway across these trusts.

Where can I get colonoscopy privately in London?

London has private hospitals operated by Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health, and HCA Healthcare among others. Private colonoscopy typically costs £1,300–£2,800 in the UK. Most private hospitals offer consultation packages where you can be assessed within days. Ask your GP for a referral letter or self-refer directly.

Will going private affect my NHS care for colonoscopy?

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

Which London NHS trust has the shortest wait?

Across the 9 London NHS trusts in our dataset, the shortest median gastroenterology wait is at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (0 weeks). The full breakdown is shown in the table below.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside London for a faster wait?

Yes. Under the NHS Patient Choice rules, you have the right to 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 are your own responsibility.

Colonoscopy in London: NHS wait vs private cost

The NHS waiting list for colonoscopy in London has a median wait of 11 weeks across 9 NHS trusts serving the area. Private treatment typically costs £1,850, ranging from £1,300 to £2,800.

NHS

Faster than the national average

11 weeks

Median wait in London

92nd percentile wait:: 45 weeks
Patients waiting:: 34,965
Seen within 18 weeks:: 2537%

Free at the point of use. Specialty-level data covering Gastroenterology.

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.

NHS trusts serving London

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust RJ1	11 wk	28 wk	3,171	2393%
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust RJ2	16 wk	45 wk	5,945	3276%
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RJ7	12 wk	34 wk	2,360	1563%
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RAS	14 wk	35 wk	1,557	960%
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust RYJ	10 wk	21 wk	3,597	3179%
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust RP4	0 wk	0 wk	1	0%
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust RAL	14 wk	39 wk	8,112	4969%
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust RQM	10 wk	22 wk	1,751	1482%
Barts Health NHS Trust R1H	15 wk	39 wk	8,471	5010%

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See Colonoscopy waits across all UK cities →