How long is the NHS wait for gallbladder removal in the UK?

The current median NHS wait for gallbladder removal (within the General Surgery specialty) in England is approximately 14 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 38 weeks. Waits vary significantly by NHS trust — see the city breakdowns below for local figures.

How much does private gallbladder removal cost in the UK?

Private gallbladder removal in the UK typically costs £5,500–£9,500, with a typical price around £7,250. Prices vary by hospital group, surgeon experience, and what's included (anaesthesia, follow-ups, physiotherapy). Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health and BMI Healthcare are the main private hospital groups offering this procedure.

Can I switch from NHS to private for gallbladder removal?

Yes. You can self-fund or use private health insurance to access gallbladder removal privately while remaining on the NHS waiting list. Many patients do this to avoid the long wait. Some private hospitals offer consultation packages where you can be assessed within days. You will not lose your NHS place by getting a private opinion or treatment.

Which cities have the shortest NHS waits for gallbladder removal?

Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the UK cities with the shortest median waits for general surgery (the specialty covering gallbladder removal) include Plymouth (6 weeks), York (6 weeks), Newcastle upon Tyne (9 weeks), Sunderland (9 weeks), Reading (10 weeks). See the full city table below.

Is gallbladder removal covered by private health insurance?

Most major UK health insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA) cover gallbladder removal on standard policies, subject to underwriting and policy terms. Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded. Always confirm coverage with your insurer before scheduling.

Gallbladder removal: NHS wait vs private cost

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy — removal of the gallbladder, usually for gallstones. The current NHS median wait is approximately 14 weeks. Private treatment typically costs £5,500–£9,500.

NHS median wait (England)

14 weeks

Specialty: General Surgery

Long-tail wait (92nd percentile)

38 weeks

115,220 patients waiting

Private cost (typical)

£7,250

Range £5,500–£9,500

NHS wait by city — fastest first

City	Median wait	Compare locally
Plymouth	6 weeks	See Plymouth →
York	6 weeks	See York →
Newcastle upon Tyne	9 weeks	See Newcastle upon Tyne →
Sunderland	9 weeks	See Sunderland →
Reading	10 weeks	See Reading →
Leeds	11 weeks	See Leeds →
Bradford	11 weeks	See Bradford →
Liverpool	11 weeks	See Liverpool →
Bristol	12 weeks	See Bristol →
Stoke-on-Trent	12 weeks	See Stoke-on-Trent →
Portsmouth	13 weeks	See Portsmouth →
Coventry	14 weeks	See Coventry →
Sheffield	14 weeks	See Sheffield →
Middlesbrough	14 weeks	See Middlesbrough →
Brighton	14 weeks	See Brighton →
Oxford	14 weeks	See Oxford →
Exeter	14 weeks	See Exeter →
Norwich	15 weeks	See Norwich →
London	15 weeks	See London →
Derby	15 weeks	See Derby →
Blackpool	15 weeks	See Blackpool →
Preston	16 weeks	See Preston →
Hull	16 weeks	See Hull →
Birmingham	16 weeks	See Birmingham →
Southampton	16 weeks	See Southampton →
Cambridge	18 weeks	See Cambridge →
Leicester	18 weeks	See Leicester →
Manchester	18 weeks	See Manchester →
Nottingham	19 weeks	See Nottingham →
Milton Keynes	19 weeks	See Milton Keynes →

Looking for gallbladder removal waits by postcode?

We also publish wait times by postcode area, mapped to the NHS trust most likely to accept your GP referral.

See gallbladder removal by postcode area →

All English cities

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