How long is the NHS wait for shoulder arthroscopy in London?

The current median NHS wait for shoulder arthroscopy in London (across 9 NHS trusts) is approximately 13 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 46 weeks. There are 47,029 patients currently waiting on the Trauma & Orthopaedics pathway across these trusts.

Where can I get shoulder arthroscopy privately in London?

London has private hospitals operated by Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health, and HCA Healthcare among others. Private shoulder arthroscopy 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 shoulder arthroscopy?

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 London NHS trust has the shortest wait?

Across the 9 London NHS trusts in our dataset, the shortest median trauma & orthopaedics wait is at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (0 weeks). The full breakdown is shown in the table below.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside London 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.

Shoulder arthroscopy in London: NHS wait vs private cost

The NHS waiting list for shoulder arthroscopy in London has a median wait of 13 weeks across 9 NHS trusts serving the area. Private treatment typically costs £7,200, ranging from £5,500 to £9,500.

NHS

Faster than the national average

13 weeks

Median wait in London

92nd percentile wait:: 46 weeks
Patients waiting:: 47,029
Seen within 18 weeks:: 57%

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

Private

Days, not weeks

£7,200

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.

Next step

Decide whether to wait or go private in London

Use the local NHS wait, the private price range and related treatment pages to move from answer to action.

Compare all citiesShoulder arthroscopy waits nationwide Calculate wait vs costWeeks saved and monthly cost Get a private GP referralSame-day referral options

Compare your route

Keep comparing shoulder arthroscopy around London

City pages are useful for the headline wait. The next useful step is usually the national context, a specific postcode/outcode, a private referral route or finance.

Finance options

London city pageCurrent13 week NHS median wait with private cost range.National overviewCompare this city against other English cities.SW1A local pageWestminster (SW1A) with the closest NHS trust catchment.SW1 local pageBelgravia and Pimlico (SW1) with the closest NHS trust catchment.SW3 local pageChelsea (SW3) with the closest NHS trust catchment.London private GPFind GP consultations and referral options in the same city.

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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Calculator

Is going private worth it for shoulder arthroscopy?

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

10 weeks saved

NHS wait

13 wk

Private quote

Private wait

3 wk

Time saved

10 weeks

Cost per week saved

£720

Monthly equivalent

£600/mo

or £300/mo over 24 months

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

NHS trusts serving London

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust RJ1	11 wk	38 wk	4,892	65%
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust RJ2	15 wk	46 wk	5,589	58%
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RJ7	13 wk	35 wk	3,943	63%
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RAS	14 wk	37 wk	5,220	61%
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust RYJ	12 wk	37 wk	2,881	64%
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust RP4	0 wk	0 wk	0	—
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust RAL	18 wk	46 wk	10,402	50%
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust RQM	17 wk	45 wk	5,538	52%
Barts Health NHS Trust R1H	16 wk	40 wk	8,564	56%

Shoulder arthroscopy in London: FAQs

How much does private shoulder arthroscopy cost in London?

Private shoulder arthroscopy typically costs Â£5,500-Â£9,500 in the UK, with a typical self-pay price around Â£7,200. Local quotes in London can vary depending on consultant fee, hospital fee, anaesthetic, follow-up and any implants or lens options.

How long is the NHS wait in London?

The current median NHS wait for shoulder arthroscopy in London is approximately 13 weeks, with a 92nd percentile wait of 46 weeks across the local Trauma & Orthopaedics pathway.

What should I ask a private provider before paying?

Ask for an itemised quote showing consultant assessment, hospital fee, anaesthetic or sedation, treatment materials, follow-up appointments, cancellation terms and whether complications or revisions are covered.