How long is the NHS wait for knee replacement surgery in the CB1 postcode?

Patients living in the CB1 postcode (Cambridge city centre (CB1)) are typically referred to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The current median NHS wait for knee replacement surgery across these trust is approximately 16 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 38 weeks. NHS England publishes wait times at the trust level, not the outcode level — so this is the closest accurate breakdown for CB1 residents.

How much does private knee replacement surgery cost near CB1?

Private knee replacement surgery in the UK typically costs £11,000–£17,500, with a typical price around £13,500. Cambridge has private hospitals from Spire, Nuffield, Circle, or HCA Healthcare offering this procedure with a typical wait of 2–4 weeks. Always confirm the exact total cost (including consultation, surgery, anaesthesia, follow-ups) before booking.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside CB1?

Yes. Under NHS Patient Choice rules you can 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 for treatment further from home are your own responsibility.

Knee replacement surgery in CB1 (Cambridge city centre (CB1))

If you live in the CB1 postcode (Cambridge city centre (CB1)), your GP will most likely refer you to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The current median NHS wait for knee replacement surgery is 16 weeks. Private treatment from £11,000.

NHS

Around the national average

16 weeks

Median wait for CB1 residents

92nd percentile wait:: 38 weeks
Patients waiting:: 4,444
Seen within 18 weeks:: 54%

Free at the point of use. Aggregated from 1 NHS trust serving the CB area.

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.

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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Finance options

CB1 local pageCurrent16 week NHS median wait for Cambridge city centre (CB1).CB postcode areaWider catchment view before drilling back into outcodes.Cambridge city pageCity-level NHS wait, trust context and private cost range.National overviewCompare this local wait against other cities.Cambridge private GPMove from research into assessment and referral options.

Calculator

Is going private worth it for knee replacement surgery?

Adjust the wait and quote to estimate weeks saved, cost per week saved and simple monthly equivalents.

13 weeks saved

NHS wait

16 wk

Private quote

Private wait

3 wk

Time saved

13 weeks

Cost per week saved

£1,038

Monthly equivalent

£1,125/mo

or £563/mo over 24 months

This is a planning aid only. Actual quotes, insurance coverage and finance terms vary by provider.

How outcode waits work: NHS England publishes wait times per NHS trust, not per outcode. CB1 sits inside the wider CB postcode area, and patients are typically referred to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Under NHS Patient Choice you can ask to be referred to any trust in England — not just the local one.