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

Patients living in the M postcode area (Manchester) are typically referred to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust or Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. The current median NHS wait for knee replacement surgery across these trusts is approximately 17 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 47 weeks. There are 26,877 patients currently waiting on the Trauma & Orthopaedics pathway across these trusts.

Which NHS trust covers the M postcode?

M postcodes are primarily served by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. NHS England publishes waiting time data per trust, not per postcode, so this is the closest accurate breakdown for Manchester residents. Under NHS Patient Choice rules you can also ask your GP to refer you to a different trust with a shorter wait — this is your legal right.

How much does private knee replacement surgery cost near Manchester?

Private knee replacement surgery in the UK typically costs £11,000–£17,500, with a typical price around £13,500. Most major UK cities have 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.

Will going private affect my NHS care if I live in M?

No. You can self-fund private treatment without losing your place on the NHS waiting list and without affecting your future NHS care. Many patients use private providers to access faster surgery while keeping the NHS option as a free backup.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside the M area?

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 the M postcode area

If you live in the M postcode area (Manchester), your GP will most likely refer you to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust or Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. The current median NHS wait for knee replacement surgery is 17 weeks. Private treatment from £11,000.

NHS

Around the national average

17 weeks

Median wait for M residents

92nd percentile wait:: 47 weeks
Patients waiting:: 26,877
Seen within 18 weeks:: 7074%

Free at the point of use. Aggregated from 2 NHS trusts.

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.

How postcode waits work: NHS England publishes wait times per NHS trust, not per postcode. We have mapped M postcodes to the trusts that most commonly accept Manchester residents. Your actual wait depends on which trust your GP refers you to — and under NHS Patient Choice you can ask to be referred to any trust in England, not just the local one.

NHS trusts serving M postcodes

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust R0A	18 wk	47 wk	13,103	6700%
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust RM3	16 wk	45 wk	13,774	7447%

See the full Manchester city breakdown

Treatcompare also publishes a per-city version of this comparison with full NHS trust details and city-wide aggregates.

Knee replacement surgery in Manchester →

Knee replacement surgery in the M postcode area

NHS trusts serving M postcodes

See the full Manchester city breakdown

Other postcode areas in North West England

Other procedures for M postcodes