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

The current median NHS wait for shoulder arthroscopy in Manchester (across 2 NHS 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.

Where can I get shoulder arthroscopy privately in Manchester?

Manchester 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 Manchester NHS trust has the shortest wait?

Across the 2 Manchester NHS trusts in our dataset, the shortest median trauma & orthopaedics wait is at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (16 weeks). The full breakdown is shown in the table below.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside Manchester 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 Manchester: NHS wait vs private cost

The NHS waiting list for shoulder arthroscopy in Manchester has a median wait of 17 weeks across 2 NHS trusts serving the area. Private treatment typically costs £7,200, ranging from £5,500 to £9,500.

NHS

Around the national average

17 weeks

Median wait in Manchester

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

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.

NHS trusts serving Manchester

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%

Other procedures in Manchester

Knee replacement surgery in Manchester Hip replacement surgery in Manchester Cataract surgery in Manchester Hernia repair in Manchester Varicose vein treatment in Manchester Hysterectomy in Manchester Tonsillectomy in Manchester Gallbladder removal in Manchester Carpal tunnel release in Manchester

See Shoulder arthroscopy waits across all UK cities →