A patient's guide to having private surgery in Bristol

Why choose private surgery in Bristol?

The answer is actually fairly simple: we put our patients at the heart of everything we do. From our transparent pricing to our highly experienced healthcare professionals, providing you with the very best healthcare experience possible is our number one priority.

But enough from us, we’ll let orthopaedic consultant Kenan Dehne have his say:

“We strive to ensure all our patients receive the very best care from our wealth of experience and expertise.”

Kenan Dehne, Practice Plus Group consultant orthopaedic surgeon

Understanding private surgery options in Bristol

From dodgy knees to painful wrists, Bristol is home to a wealth of options when it comes to private surgery.

At Practice Plus Group, we cover a range of different treatments at our Emersons Green hospital. The guides below feature information tailored to each treatment type, providing an idea of what you can expect.

• Hip replacement in Bristol
• Knee replacement in Bristol
• Cataract surgery in Bristol
• Hernia surgery in Bristol
• Carpal tunnel surgery in Bristol

Choosing the best private hospital in Bristol

Choosing a private hospital in Bristol can be a great idea. We’ve listed the reasons why below:

• Faster service: Don’t like long waits? Good news! Private hospitals usually have shorter waiting times for consultations, tests, and surgeries. At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green, you can expect to get treated within 4-6 weeks of your initial consultation.
• Flexible timing: Private hospitals offer more control over when you can see your consultant and schedule treatments. This can be handy if you lead a busy life.
• Consistent care: With private healthcare, you’re much more likely to see the same consultant throughout your treatment. This helps create a more cohesive, tailored care experience.
• Comfort: Think of a private hospital as a step up in comfort. Many offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, better food, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
• Top specialists: Bristol really does boast some of the best UK specialists in private hospitals. So, if you’re looking for expert advice and care, you’ll find plenty of skilled professionals here.
• Personal touch: Private hospitals often focus on personalised care. You might find that you get more attention from your healthcare team and a treatment plan that’s tailored just for you.
• Latest tech: Private hospitals often have the latest medical technology. This can mean more precise and effective treatments.
• More treatment options: With a private hospital, you often get more choice when it comes to treatment options, and more say about the pace of your care.

Choosing a consultant

Choosing a consultant shouldn’t be a tricky task. Independent sites like Doctify are great for researching consultants, their ratings, and the treatments they specialise in.

But what about Practice Plus Group? Well, there are 43 private consultants at our Emersons Green hospital ready to help you on your healthcare journey.

Meet our consultants in Bristol

There are 43 consultants at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green. Why not meet some of them using the carousel below?

What is the waiting time for hospitals in Bristol?

This depends on the following factors:

• whether you’re seeking treatment privately or via the NHS
• the kind of treatment you need
• which hospital in Bristol you’re using.

According to My Planned Care, the current waiting time for General surgery at North Bristol NHS Trust Hospital is 32 weeks (around 8 months).¹

Private hospital waiting times are generally much shorter. At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green, you can expect to wait around two weeks for your initial consultation. Your surgery will be 4-6 weeks after that.

How much does private surgery cost in Bristol?

As with waiting times, cost depends on the type of surgery you need and the healthcare provider you’ve chosen. NHS surgery is free but comes with the condition of longer waiting times.

The table below takes a closer look at private surgery costs at the major healthcare providers in the Bristol area.

Bristol hospital price list comparison

Paying for your surgery

At Practice Plus Group, there are two ways to pay for your surgery:

• paying for yourself via a single one-off lump sum or through one of our finance options.
• through pre-existing health insurance that can be used to cover the cost of treatment.

Preparing for your surgery in Bristol

From losing weight and cutting down on alcohol to making dietary improvements, if you’re having joint surgery, our Joint School is a great place to start preparing for surgery.

Our dedicated Preparing for surgery blog explores the key questions to ask your consultant, as well as what to avoid doing in the days and weeks before your big day.

What to expect on the day

So, the big day is finally here! You may have some nerves – and that’s totally normal – but on our part, we’re excited to give you a big Practice Plus Group welcome!

From you’re point of view, try to remember to:

• wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
• bring belongings and things you need for your time with us.

Post-operative care and recovery

Your aftercare is also included in the price of your treatment. So, any extra help you need during your recovery will be financially covered and tailored to your specific needs. What’s more, we’ll be just a phone call away, so if at any point during your recovery you have concerns, simply give us a call.

At Practice Plus Group, we practise the Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERP). This is a modern, evidence-based approach that helps people recover quickly from major surgery, often returning home on the same day as their surgery. Your consultant will discuss with you whether you’re a suitable candidate for ERP.

How to book your surgery

The first step on your self-pay journey is to book an appointment. The good news here is that you don’t always need a referral.

Generally, if you are paying for your own treatment you can self-refer; this means you won’t necessarily need to make a GP appointment beforehand. You can ring our Private Patient Advisors on 0330 822 6528 to find out what your options are. Once your referral is dealt with, our friendly staff will book you in at the private hospital of your choice.

Private surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green

So, you’ve decided to come aboard the good ship Practice Plus Group for private surgery. Everything’s purple, we hope you don’t mind! Let’s have a look at how to find us, which treatments are available, and what past patients are saying about their experiences.

Treatments and specialities in Bristol

From diagnostic imaging to general surgery, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green features a wide range of procedures and private surgical treatments to help care for as many patients as we can.

Patient reviews, ratings, and awards

In March 2024, 97.6% of 968 Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green patients surveyed rated their service as “Good”. By April 2024, this figure came in at 95.8% of 987 patients.

As of November 2024, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green holds a ‘Good’ rating with the Care Quality Commission.

“I was booked in for an operation quicker than I expected – a matter of a few weeks. I had the operation on a Saturday at 5pm and was home 24 hours later…from making the initial enquiry it was all so quick, I didn’t have time to worry at all. I met with a super consultant who was such a lovely man and put me at ease straight away. Everything was so slick.”

Getting here

Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green is located to the north-east of Bristol, just off the M4 at junction 19.

If you’re using public transport, the M3, M3X, Y1, and 49 buses also stop at the Willy Wicket pub or Emerald Park. Both are within a 10 minute walk of the hospital.

If you’re travelling from Wales, you may be eligible for our transport help service. Please call 0330 053 6441 for more details.

Sources and references

¹ https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/swest/north-bristol/specialty/?sname=General%20Surgery

Acknowledgements