How long is the NHS wait for tonsillectomy in London?

The current median NHS wait for tonsillectomy in London (across 9 NHS trusts) is approximately 16 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 50 weeks. There are 54,200 patients currently waiting on the ENT pathway across these trusts.

Where can I get tonsillectomy privately in London?

London has private hospitals operated by Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health, and HCA Healthcare among others. Private tonsillectomy typically costs £2,950–£5,500 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 tonsillectomy?

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 ent 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.

Tonsillectomy in London: NHS wait vs private cost

The NHS waiting list for tonsillectomy in London has a median wait of 16 weeks across 9 NHS trusts serving the area. Private treatment typically costs £3,800, ranging from £2,950 to £5,500.

NHS

Around the national average

16 weeks

Median wait in London

92nd percentile wait:: 50 weeks
Patients waiting:: 54,200
Seen within 18 weeks:: 3227%

Free at the point of use. Specialty-level data covering ENT.

Private

Days, not weeks

£3,800

Typical UK private price

Lowest published:: £2,950
Highest published:: £5,500
Typical wait:: 2–4 weeks

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

NHS trusts serving London

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust RJ1	16 wk	42 wk	5,524	3078%
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust RJ2	15 wk	44 wk	8,594	4864%
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RJ7	14 wk	36 wk	4,201	2562%
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RAS	28 wk	50 wk	3,844	1505%
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust RYJ	15 wk	38 wk	8,664	5010%
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust RP4	0 wk	0 wk	0	0%
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust RAL	15 wk	43 wk	10,583	5954%
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust RQM	18 wk	44 wk	5,481	2702%
Barts Health NHS Trust R1H	20 wk	48 wk	7,309	3371%

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See Tonsillectomy waits across all UK cities →