How long is the NHS wait for knee replacement surgery in Bristol?

The current median NHS wait for knee replacement surgery in Bristol (across 2 NHS trusts) is approximately 12 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 37 weeks. There are 7,212 patients currently waiting on the Trauma & Orthopaedics pathway across these trusts.

Where can I get knee replacement surgery privately in Bristol?

Bristol has private hospitals operated by Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health, and HCA Healthcare among others. Private knee replacement surgery typically costs £11,000–£17,500 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 knee replacement surgery?

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 Bristol NHS trust has the shortest wait?

Across the 2 Bristol NHS trusts in our dataset, the shortest median trauma & orthopaedics wait is at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (10 weeks). The full breakdown is shown in the table below.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside Bristol 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.

Knee replacement surgery in Bristol: NHS wait vs private cost

The NHS waiting list for knee replacement surgery in Bristol has a median wait of 12 weeks across 2 NHS trusts serving the area. Private treatment typically costs £13,500, ranging from £11,000 to £17,500.

NHS

Faster than the national average

12 weeks

Median wait in Bristol

92nd percentile wait:: 37 weeks
Patients waiting:: 7,212
Seen within 18 weeks:: 2328%

Free at the point of use. Specialty-level data covering Trauma & Orthopaedics.

Private

Days, not weeks

£13,500

Typical UK private price

Lowest published:: £11,000
Highest published:: £17,500
Typical wait:: 2–4 weeks

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

NHS trusts serving Bristol

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust RA7	10 wk	30 wk	1,892	1444%
North Bristol NHS Trust RVJ	14 wk	37 wk	5,320	3212%

Other procedures in Bristol

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See Knee replacement surgery waits across all UK cities →