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Is your treatment available on the NHS?

Many treatments are subject to ICB-level criteria — meaning NHS funding depends on where you live. Select a treatment to see whether your area funds it and how costs compare to going private.

1

Choose treatment

Select the treatment you're interested in

2

See NHS criteria

View national and ICB-level eligibility rules

3

Compare costs

NHS cost vs private options near you

Surgical

Bariatric surgery

Varies by area

Weight loss surgery including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric band. NHS funding is based on BMI thresholds and comorbidities.

Private cost:£6,000–£15,000

Breast reduction

Varies by area

NHS breast reduction is subject to ICB-level EBI criteria. Most ICBs require evidence of physical symptoms (back pain, skin rashes) and a minimum cup size differential.

Private cost:£6,000–£9,000

Varicose vein treatment

Varies by area

NHS varicose vein treatment (EVLA, foam sclerotherapy, stripping) is an EBI procedure. Most ICBs require documented symptoms (ulceration, bleeding, severe pain) before funding.

Private cost:£2,000–£5,000

Rhinoplasty (functional)

Varies by area

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is never NHS-funded. Functional rhinoplasty (for breathing difficulties, post-trauma) may be funded if an ENT specialist confirms medical necessity.

Private cost:£4,000–£8,000

Carpal tunnel surgery

Varies by area

Carpal tunnel release is an EBI procedure. NHS funding requires confirmed diagnosis via nerve conduction study and failure of conservative treatment (splinting, steroid injection).

Private cost:£1,500–£3,500

Tonsillectomy (adult)

Varies by area

Adult tonsillectomy is an EBI procedure. Most ICBs require 7+ documented episodes of tonsillitis in the past year, or 5+ per year for 2 consecutive years.

Private cost:£2,500–£4,500

Dermatology

Skin lesion / mole removal

Varies by area

Suspicious skin lesions are always removed under the 2-week wait pathway. Non-suspicious cosmetic mole removal is subject to EBI criteria — most ICBs only remove lesions that are symptomatic or clinically concerning.

Private cost:£150–£500

Ophthalmology

Laser eye surgery

Rarely funded

Laser eye surgery (LASIK, SMILE, PRK) is almost never available on the NHS. Rare exceptions exist for keratoconus and specific corneal conditions.

Private cost:£2,000–£5,000

Dedicated NHS eligibility checkers

NHS IVF checker
Postcode-based ICB lookup
NHS Mounjaro checker
GLP-1 cohort eligibility
NHS dental finder
Practice activity data

Treatment availability data is based on NHS England Evidence-Based Interventions guidance and individual ICB commissioning policies. Policies may change without notice. Always confirm eligibility with your GP or the relevant ICB. Private cost ranges are based on Treatcompare research and may vary by provider and region.