Private tonsillectomy cost UK – prices, options, and insights

How much does a private tonsillectomy cost in the UK?

While there are factors that can influence the cost of a private tonsillectomy (such as location, chosen private healthcare provider, consultant availability and experience level), in 2026 you can generally expect to pay between £2,800 and £4,000.

The table below provides an illustration of the current costs of a tonsillectomy at the main private healthcare providers around the UK.

Name of provider/hospital	Cost of private tonsillectomy
Practice Plus Group	£2,849
Spire Hospital (Bristol)	from £3,691
Nuffield Health Highgate Hospital (London)	from £3,040
Circle Health Group Ridgeway Hospital (Swindon)	from £3,720 (includes consultation fee)

Average tonsillectomy cost in the UK

In 2026, the average cost of private tonsillectomy in the UK is between £2,800 – £4,000.

What’s included in your private care package

This varies depending on your chosen private healthcare provider. With Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, you’ll pay £2,849 (plus £95 for your initial consultation). This covers everything from your treatment to any medication needed afterwards.

Factors that affect cost

The main factors that can affect private tonsillectomy costs (and the costs of other private treatments) are:

• Location of hospital
• Consultant availability and expertise
• Chosen private healthcare provider

Please note that with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, our prices are fixed. This means you won’t pay more for your tonsillectomy because the hospital you’ve chosen is in a specific part of the country or a consultant has an extra year of experience. The price you see is the price you pay which, for a private tonsillectomy, is £2,849 (plus £95 for your initial consultation).

What is a tonsillectomy?

A tonsillectomy is one of the most common types of ear, nose, and throat surgery. It’s usually carried out under general anaesthetic and sees the removal of the tonsils in order to treat:

• Recurring tonsillitis
• Obstructive sleep apnea,
• Breathing or swallowing issues caused by enlarged tonsils.

A tonsillectomy can also provide relief from frequent infections, pain, and airway obstruction.

What the tonsils do and why they’re removed

Tonsils act as a first defense against bacteria and viruses that enter through your mouth and nose. The tonsil tissues produce antibodies that help fight infections and are particularly useful to young children whose immune systems have not fully developed.

They are normally removed (via a tonsillectomy procedure) in the event of recurring and severe throat infections or due to breathing issues caused by enlarged tonsils which can affect sleep.

The image below shows the difference between normal and inflamed tonsils.

Common symptoms and causes

Among the most common symptoms of tonsillitis are:

• Sore throat or pain when swallowing
• Bad breath
• Swollen tonsils
• Coughing
• Head and ear aches
• Temperature of more than 38°C or 100.4°F

Who might need a tonsillectomy?

The most common criteria for a tonsillectomy include:

• Sore throats caused by tonsillitis
• A chronic infection of the tonsils which stops you from functioning normally, eating or drinking or going to work or school
• Seven or more episodes of tonsillitis in the preceding year which needed treatment
• Five or more episodes of tonsillitis in each of the two preceding years
• Three or more episodes of tonsillitis in each of the three preceding years.

If tonsillitis and swollen tonsils are affecting your quality of life, talk to your doctor about tonsil removal.

Why consider a private tonsillectomy?

As with a lot of other different treatments, one of the main reasons for choosing to go private is the speed at which you can access healthcare. While that’s the main reason, there are other factors that can play a part in the final decision. We explore what these are below.

Key benefits of going private for tonsillectomy

Here are some of the main benefits of choosing private tonsillectomy:

• Faster access to healthcare: currently, the waiting times for NHS ear, nose, and throat treatment at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is 47 weeks.¹ To provide more context and a wider picture, it’s currently 49 weeks at the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, and 41 weeks at the University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London. More information on the most up-to-date ear, nose, and throat waiting times at NHS hospitals across the country is available on the My Planned Care website.
  
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• Flexible timings: private healthcare provides the opportunity to book your consultation and treatment (if needed) at a time that suits you.
• Consistency of care: private tonsillectomy will likely mean you have the same consultant and nursing team throughout your healthcare experience, from consultation to treatment and beyond!

Choosing the right ENT surgeon

There are a few things to bear in mind when looking for an approved consultant. The information below sets out what to look out for, red flags to avoid, and what to ask at your consultation.

How to find a qualified ENT consultant

There’s plenty to think about when it comes to choosing an ENT consultant for your private treatment. Here’s a handy list to get you feeling prepared and ready to make the right choice:

1 – Ask yourself and clarify what you’re looking for in a potential consultant
2 – Check their qualifications and accreditations
3 – Read reviews from past patients
4 – Shop around to explore the different costs of treatment
5 – Check if your potential consultant adheres to regulatory guidelines.

Meet our ENT surgeons

Choosing an ear, nose, and throat surgeon shouldn’t be a stressful experience. Remember to trust your instincts and choose a consultant that makes you feel confident and cared for.

From ear wax removal to tonsillectomy, our first-class consultants provide healthcare for a range of ear, nose, and throat specialities. Use the carousel below to cycle through the consultants available to help.

• 

  Animesh Banerjee

  Ear, nose and throat

  Practices at:

  • Southampton

  View profile

• 

  Attila Juhasz

  Ear, nose and throat

  Practices at:

  • Emersons Green

  View profile

• 

  Ourania Tramontani

  Ear, nose and throat

  Practices at:

  • St Mary's Portsmouth

  View profile

• 

  Samir Gendy

  Ear, nose and throat

  Practices at:

  • Emersons Green
  • Devizes

  View profile

• 

  Szabolcs Szigethy

  Ear, nose and throat

  Practices at:

  • Shepton Mallet

  View profile

What to ask at your consultation

Before your initial consultation, it’s a great idea to write down any questions you may have. To make things easier for you, here’s a list of some questions you may want to take into your consultation to ask about the tonsillectomy procedure:

• What are the potential short and long-term side effects of my surgery?
• How do I know if surgery is right for me?
• What happens during my surgery?
• What are the pros and cons of my surgery?
• How healthy do I need to be before surgery?
• Will my insurance cover my surgery?
• Can I eat and drink the day before my surgery?

Recovery after a tonsillectomy

Following your tonsillectomy, you might find swallowing difficult but you’ll be encouraged to eat and drink as this aids recovery. Drinking cold water is a great idea as it helps relieve pain by contracting the blood vessels – as well as hydrating you. You’ll need to avoid fizzy drinks and alcohol as they can result in bleeding. Regular tooth brushing and using a mouthwash will help prevent infection.

Typical recovery timeline and pain management

The recovery time from tonsillectomy will depend on your general health. For most patients, it takes around two weeks but this can vary.

What you can eat and drink after surgery

You’ll be encouraged to drink cold water, not only to stay hydrated but to provide pain relief. You should avoid alcoholic and fizzy drinks as these may cause bleeding. While swallowing may be difficult, you’ll be encouraged to eat following your surgery. Start with plain foods like bread and avoid eating anything spicy for a week or so after your tonsillectomy.

Signs to contact your doctor

While a tonsillectomy is a relatively low-risk procedure, there are some side effects. 1 in 30 adults experience some bleeding after their operation and it’s common for anything up to 10 days after surgery. Minor bleeding usually clears up by itself however, if bleeding is severe or if you are coughing up blood, you should seek medical attention immediately. Use the emergency contact number we have given you or call 111.

Risks, side effects, and aftercare

One side effect of the tonsillectomy procedure is that you are likely to experience some discomfort for a week or two afterwards. This can be managed with painkillers.

According to the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the National Library of Medicine, the benefits of a tonsillectomy include:

• No further instances of tonsillitis
• Fewer throat infections
• Better quality of sleep
• Less missed time at work.²

Where to get a tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy is available via the NHS or privately at four Practice Plus Group hospitals. If you’re a private patient, the procedure costs £2,849 (plus £95) for your initial consultation.

Practice Plus Group hospitals offering tonsillectomy

The following Practice Plus Group Hospital provide tonsillectomy:

• Devizes Surgical Centre
• Emersons Green Hospital
• Shepton Mallet Hospital
• Southampton Hospital

How to book your tonsillectomy with Practice Plus Group

At Practice Plus Group, tonsillectomy is available the following ways:

• Via the NHS – this requires an NHS referral from your GP and may entail a long waiting time
• Self-pay: patients accessing their tonsillectomy privately can do so by paying for themselves either via a one-off lump sum or by spreading the cost via our monthly payment plans
• Insurance: Patients with private medical insurance may be able to access their tonsillectomy procedure through their cover. If you’ve got private health insurance, check your policy to see if tonsillectomy is covered.

Accessing healthcare via private health insurance?

Simply type in the name of your insurance provider below to see if you can access healthcare with us.