Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
These days, when it comes to healthcare in the UK, one of the most talked about issues involves NHS waiting times. While waiting times do vary depending on location within the country, the general consensus is of concern at how long some would-be patients are having to wait for treatment.
As England’s second city, hospital waiting times in Birmingham are a hot topic. This article brings you the latest information around what to expect when it comes to waiting for healthcare at various different Birmingham hospitals.
Private treatment at a glance
- Waiting time: 4-6 weeks
- Cost: treatment dependent
- Ways to pay: self-pay, insured, payment plans
- Hospital stay: treatment dependent
- Procedure time: treatment dependent
On this page:
NHS waiting times in Birmingham vary widely by speciality and hospital, with some departments exceeding 30 weeks. Meanwhile, private care at Practice Plus Group offers treatment within 4–6 weeks. NHS delays stem from factors like staff shortages, bed pressures, and outdated systems, making private healthcare a faster alternative for many patients.
Current hospital waiting times in Birmingham
Let’s get straight into it then. What are the current waiting times for NHS healthcare in Birmingham? To find out and keep tabs on the changeable situation, the My Planned Care* site is an invaluable tool. It’s updated weekly and features waiting times from all the major hospitals and health facilities around England.
*(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
Latest NHS hospital waiting list figures in Birmingham
The table below shows the latest NHS waiting times at featured hospitals in Birmingham.
| Waiting time for orthopaedics | Waiting time for general surgery | Waiting time for ophthalmology | Waiting time for gynaecology | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham ACES (ophthalmology only) | N/A | N/A | 32 weeks | N/A |
| Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust | N/A | N/A | N/A | 38 weeks |
| Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 27 weeks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | 20 weeks | 36 weeks | 39 weeks | 34 weeks |
Where to find official NHS waiting time data
The best place to find the latest updates about the NHS waiting times up and down the country is on the My Planned Care site. For Birmingham-specific NHS waiting times, check out the My Planned Care Birmingham page. You’ll need to do some research for the ins and outs of the different hospitals available but the information is updated on a weekly basis.
*(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
Hospitals in Birmingham and average waiting times
Whether NHS or private, Birmingham has no shortage of hospitals and health clinics. Aside from Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham which is located on Somerset Road, Edgbaston, the following table lists the different NHS and private hospitals in England’s second city.
| Name of NHS hospital | Name of private hospital |
|---|---|
| Birmingham ACES (ophthalmology only) | The Priory Hospital, Circle Health Group |
| Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust | The Harborne Hospital, HCA Healthcare |
| Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Parkway Hospital, Spire |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | The Westbourne Centre, Ramsay Healthcare |
Factors affecting NHS treatment delays
It’s no secret the NHS has struggled to accommodate rising demand for its services in recent years. While shutdowns following the COVID pandemic created extensive backlogs, other factors pre-dating the pandemic have long since played major roles.
- Staff and bed shortages
The shortage of NHS staff has been a decades old issue but one that’s relatively new is the increased demand on hospital beds. While this is mainly an issue with A&E services, a bed shortage leads to delays in the ability to admit patients, which in turn increases the risk of those patients developing more serious health issues. - Pressure on the system and infrastructure
Outdated and disjointed IT systems within the NHS are negatively affecting communication and efficiency between the different departments. This, coupled with shortages in diagnostic equipment can lead to delays in treating illnesses.
While the above factors aren’t exclusive to NHS waiting times in Birmingham, their combined effect is being felt around the country.
Waiting times at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham
If you’re looking for healthcare at a private hospital in Birmingham, you’re very much in luck! That’s because Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group have made their home in Edgbaston. As of May 2024, our hospital in England’s second city can be found at the following address:
22 Somerset Road,
Edgbaston,
Birmingham,
B15 2QQ
- For patients travelling by car:
We are located three miles from Birmingham city centre, close to junction 3 of the M5 motorway. Aim for Court Oak Road and take the second exit at the roundabout onto Lordswood Road. Take the first exit at the roundabout before turning right onto Harborne Park Road. After 300 metres, turn left onto St Mary’s Road and take the third exit at the roundabout onto Barlows Road and then the second exit at the next roundabout onto Somerset Road. Practice Plus Group Hospital is approximately 300 metres along Somerset Road on the right-hand side.
Those travelling by car on the M6 will need to take the Aston Expressway at junction 6. Follow the Aston Expressway (A38) through the centre of Birmingham. Use the second from the right lane to head onto Bristol Street and continue on Wellington Road. Turn left at the T-junction for Edgbaston Park Road and then right onto Somerset Road. We’re on the left-hand side after about 300 metres. - For patients travelling by train:
Head for Birmingham New Street Station which is a 10 minute taxi ride away. - For patients travelling by bus:
From New Street Station, take the X21 or X22 Platinum bus to Vale Village. From there, the hospital is half a mile along Somerset Road.
More information can be found on our Birmingham hospital page.
Current waiting times for private patients
At our private hospital in Birmingham, the waiting time is as follows:
- 1-2 weeks from initial enquiry to consultation
- 4-6 weeks between consultation and treatment.
This waiting time is regardless of the type of treatment you need and applies to all private patients.
What makes private healthcare timelines different to the NHS?
One of the main benefits of choosing to have your healthcare privately is the (sometimes greatly) reduced waiting times. Much of this is down to the ability to self-refer for treatment. This removes the time NHS patients spend having to wait for a GP referral to then access a consultation.
Another major factor that makes private waiting times shorter than those on the NHS is consultant availability. The shorter waiting times that come with private healthcare means that consultants are more readily available to carry out initial consultations and any treatment needed. The flexibility around the time and date of treatment appointments also plays a part as appointments made at a patient’s convenience are less likely to be cancelled or postponed.
Treatment-specific waiting times in Birmingham
We might have mentioned it a few times by now but the waiting times for private patients is irrespective of the type of treatment you’re receiving. This means that, whether you’re a hernia surgery patient or having treatment on your cataracts, at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham the waiting time is 1-2 weeks for a consultation, followed by 4-6 weeks for treatment.
The current waiting times at NHS hospitals and health facilities are detailed in a table at the top of this article but if the scroll wheel on your mouse is broken (or you just don’t fancy searching for it!) the sections below lay out the different waiting times for each type of treatment.
Cataract surgery waiting times in Birmingham
According to the My Planned Care site, the current waiting times for NHS ophthalmology treatment at the Birmingham ACES hospital is as follows:
- 19 weeks for a consultation
- 13 weeks for treatment
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
Hip and knee replacement waiting times in Birmingham
While we can’t drill down far enough to provide the specific waiting times for hip and knee treatments individually, the current waiting time for orthopaedic healthcare at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital is:
- 12 weeks for a consultation
- 15 weeks for treatment
To compare these to the current waiting times at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which are as follows:
- 9 weeks for a consultation
- 11 weeks for treatment
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
Hernia and carpal tunnel surgery waiting times in Birmingham
While the My Planned Care site doesn’t have the ability to provide waiting time information for specific treatments like hernia and carpal tunnel surgery, it’s possible to see what to expect for each department.
According to the My Planned Care site, the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is the only place providing General surgery. The waiting time for this is currently:
- 18 weeks for a consultation
- 18 weeks for treatment
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
How to check and manage your NHS appointment
NHS appointments in Birmingham can be managed via the NHS app. This can be accessed on your smartphone or computer. The app covers everything from the symptoms of your specific condition to managing your appointments.
You can check the latest NHS waiting times for your treatment department on the My Planned Care Birmingham page.
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
How to reduce hospital waiting times in Birmingham
If you’ve decided you want to have your treatment via the NHS, the following tips may work to speed up your waiting time:
- talk to your GP about your concerns
- provide your GP with all of your medical history and health issues to ensure they have the information they need to assess the urgency of your problem
- regularly follow up with your GP and attend all appointments
- if your condition gets worse, contact your GP straight away
- you could try asking for a second opinion if you believe your case is more urgent
Although it may seem counterintuitive, if you live in Birmingham, one option is to have your treatment elsewhere in the country. Every NHS patient has the choice of where they receive their treatment. Having your treatment in, say, Nottingham, despite being a Birmingham local, could help you be seen sooner and reduce the waiting time for others.
That said, perhaps the best way of reducing waiting times in Birmingham – and anywhere in the country – is to choose to have your treatment privately. We don’t want to sound like a broken record (although that ship may have sailed!), the waiting time for private treatment at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham is just 4-6 weeks.
Sources and references
– My Planned Care
– My Planned Care: Birmingham
– NHS Birmingham and Solihull: Managing your NHS app
– Practice Plus Group Joint School
– How to find a surgeon in Birmingham
– Where are the best private hospitals in Birmingham, UK?
– Find the best knee specialists in Birmingham
– Birmingham hip surgeons: find the right expert
– A patient’s guide to hernia surgery in Birmingham
– Find expert orthopaedic consultants in Birmingham
Share
FAQs about Birmingham waiting times
Not quite found what you’re looking for? Our dedicated Birmingham waiting times FAQs may be able to help!
What are the average NHS waiting times in Birmingham right now?
It’s tricky to provide a concrete answer here as waiting times vary depending on the hospital and the type of treatment needed. NHS patients in Birmingham (and across the country) can expect a much longer wait than those seeking healthcare privately. At Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, the waiting time for treatment – regardless of the type – is just 4-6 weeks.
Which Birmingham hospitals have the shortest waiting lists?
The waiting time for private healthcare at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham – regardless of the type of treatment – is just 4-6 weeks.
Can private hospitals in Birmingham offer faster treatment?
In a word – yes. While some NHS patients in Birmingham face waiting times well beyond six months, the waiting time for private healthcare at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham – regardless of the type of treatment – is just 4-6 weeks.
What’s the difference in cost between NHS and private treatment in Birmingham?
NHS treatment is free but comes with an (often) long waiting time. The cost of private healthcare varies depending on the type of treatment needed.
What can I do while waiting for an NHS operation?
In terms of surgery prep, our Joint School is packed full of useful resources to get you physically and mentally ready for your surgery.
To speed up your waiting time, one option is to have your treatment privately. The waiting time for private healthcare at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham – regardless of the type of treatment – is just 4-6 weeks.
Are private waiting times guaranteed?
There may be some flexibility but in most cases – yes. At Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, sometimes we’re able to see patients sooner than the stated aim of 4-6 weeks.
Where can I find official NHS waiting time data?
This can be found at the My Planned Care website.
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
