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

The current median NHS wait for gallbladder removal in Birmingham (across 2 NHS trusts) is approximately 16 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 38 weeks. There are 9,271 patients currently waiting on the General Surgery pathway across these trusts.

Where can I get gallbladder removal privately in Birmingham?

Birmingham has private hospitals operated by Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health, and HCA Healthcare among others. Private gallbladder removal typically costs £5,500–£9,500 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 gallbladder removal?

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 Birmingham NHS trust has the shortest wait?

Across the 2 Birmingham NHS trusts in our dataset, the shortest median general surgery wait is at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust (14 weeks). The full breakdown is shown in the table below.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside Birmingham 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.

Gallbladder removal in Birmingham: NHS wait vs private cost

The NHS waiting list for gallbladder removal in Birmingham has a median wait of 16 weeks across 2 NHS trusts serving the area. Private treatment typically costs £7,250, ranging from £5,500 to £9,500.

NHS

Around the national average

16 weeks

Median wait in Birmingham

92nd percentile wait:: 38 weeks
Patients waiting:: 9,271
Seen within 18 weeks:: 2504%

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

Private

Days, not weeks

£7,250

Typical UK private price

Lowest published:: £5,500
Highest published:: £9,500
Typical wait:: 2–4 weeks

Self-fund or use health insurance. Major UK groups: Spire, Nuffield, Circle, HCA.

NHS trusts serving Birmingham

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust RRK	18 wk	38 wk	4,590	2247%
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust RXK	14 wk	37 wk	4,681	2760%

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See Gallbladder removal waits across all UK cities →