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 Group, Ramsay Health Care UK, and HCA Healthcare are the main private hospital groups offering this procedure.

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 13 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 37 weeks. Waits vary significantly by NHS trust — see the city breakdowns below for local figures.

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 Sunderland (7 weeks), Plymouth (7 weeks), Leeds (9 weeks), Newcastle upon Tyne (9 weeks), Reading (9 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 cost UK: private from £5,500

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy — removal of the gallbladder, usually for gallstones. Private treatment typically costs £5,500–£9,500. The current NHS median wait is around 13 weeks.

Private cost (typical)

£7,250

Range £5,500–£9,500

NHS median wait (England)

13 weeks

Specialty: General Surgery

Long-tail wait (92nd percentile)

37 weeks

114,046 patients waiting

According to TreatCompare analysis of NHS England RTT data, the current national median NHS wait for gallbladder removal is approximately 13 weeks, while the 92nd percentile wait is approximately 37 weeks.

According to TreatCompare analysis of published UK private hospital prices, private gallbladder removal typically costs £5,500-£9,500, with a typical price around £7,250.

According to TreatCompare analysis, users comparing gallbladder removal should check local NHS wait by city or postcode before deciding whether private self-pay, insurance or staying on the NHS list is the better route.

TreatCompare NHS wait and private price model. NHS data month: Mar 2026.

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

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Compare your route

Choose the right gallbladder removal comparison route

People often start with the national price, then drill into a city, postcode area or referral route. These links keep that path visible from the top of the page.

Finance options

National overviewCurrentPrivate from £5,500 with NHS waits across England.Sunderland city pageA local NHS wait page with trust context and private price range.Postcode area pagesStart with a postcode area and move into outcode-level pages.Private GP referralCheck same-day GP and referral options before contacting hospitals.All NHS vs privateCompare other procedures if the patient is still researching options.

Decision paths

Compare gallbladder removal waits, prices and next actions

These pages are most useful when visitors move from the national benchmark into a local wait, private price range, referral route or price-update action.

Check NHS wait in your areaStart with Sunderland, then compare other cities.See private price rangePrivate from £5,500 to £9,500.Use postcode pagesMove from postcode area to outcode-level NHS wait context.Compare referral routesPrivate GP and referral-letter options before contacting hospitals.Submit a price updateSend a hospital quote or updated provider fee.Ask for verificationRequest editorial or reviewer checking for this page.

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NHS wait by city — fastest first

City	Median wait	Compare locally
Sunderland	7 weeks	See Sunderland →
Plymouth	7 weeks	See Plymouth →
Leeds	9 weeks	See Leeds →
Newcastle upon Tyne	9 weeks	See Newcastle upon Tyne →
Reading	9 weeks	See Reading →
Bristol	10 weeks	See Bristol →
Liverpool	10 weeks	See Liverpool →
Bradford	10 weeks	See Bradford →
Oxford	10 weeks	See Oxford →
Portsmouth	10 weeks	See Portsmouth →
Stoke-on-Trent	11 weeks	See Stoke-on-Trent →
Birmingham	12 weeks	See Birmingham →
Middlesbrough	12 weeks	See Middlesbrough →
Norwich	12 weeks	See Norwich →
Sheffield	13 weeks	See Sheffield →
Brighton	13 weeks	See Brighton →
Coventry	13 weeks	See Coventry →
Leicester	13 weeks	See Leicester →
Nottingham	14 weeks	See Nottingham →
London	14 weeks	See London →
Derby	14 weeks	See Derby →
Blackpool	14 weeks	See Blackpool →
Hull	15 weeks	See Hull →
Preston	15 weeks	See Preston →
Cambridge	15 weeks	See Cambridge →
Southampton	16 weeks	See Southampton →
Manchester	16 weeks	See Manchester →
Exeter	17 weeks	See Exeter →
York	19 weeks	See York →
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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