Our private surgery waiting times in the UK

For private treatment enquiries call 0330 173 1264

Hospital waiting times near you

If you need surgery, it’s likely that one of the most important questions you have is how long you’ll have to wait. Private surgery waiting times are generally measured in weeks rather than months (or even years!) and you could be back doing what you love in no time.

From your initial outpatient appointment to having your procedure, the expected private patient wait time is around 3-4 weeks. Please see below table containing the current waiting times for each treatment offered by Practice Plus Group hospitals around the UK.

Explore the costs of private hip surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
All locations (excluding Rochdale and Buckinghamshire) 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private knee surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
All locations (excluding Rochdale and Buckinghamshire) 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private eye surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
All locations (excluding Buckinghamshire) 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private ENT surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
All locations (excluding Rochdale and Buckinghamshire) 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private general surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
All locations (excluding Rochdale and Buckinghamshire) 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private shoulder and elbow surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
Barlborough 4-6 weeks
Devizes 4-6 weeks
Emersons Green 4-6 weeks
Gillingham 4-6 weeks
Ilford 4-6 weeks
Plymouth 4-6 weeks
Shepton Mallet 4-6 weeks
Southampton 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private foot and ankle surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Locations Waiting time*
All locations (excluding Rochdale and Buckinghamshire) 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
Devizes 4-6 weeks
Emersons Green 4-6 weeks
Shepton Mallet 4-6 weeks
Southampton 4-6 weeks
St Mary's Portsmouth 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private oral surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
Devizes 4-6 weeks
Emersons Green 4-6 weeks
Southampton 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private spinal surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
Barlborough 4-6 weeks
Gillingham 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private endoscopy through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
Devizes 4-6 weeks
Emersons Green 4-6 weeks
Gillingham 4-6 weeks
Ilford 4-6 weeks
Plymouth 4-6 weeks
Southampton 4-6 weeks
St Mary's Portsmouth 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private gynaecology surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
Devizes 4-6 weeks
Emersons Green 4-6 weeks
Shepton Mallet 4-6 weeks
Southampton 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private urology surgery and treatments through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
Devizes 4-6 weeks
Emersons Green 4-6 weeks
Shepton Mallet 4-6 weeks
Southampton 4-6 weeks
St Mary's Portsmouth 4-6 weeks

Explore the costs of private diagnostic imaging through self-pay and insured routes.


Location Waiting time*
All locations (excluding St Mary's Portsmouth and Rochdale) 4-6 weeks

*Waiting times are subject to change. T&Cs apply

Wellsoon self-pay surgery

Choose Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group and get well sooner. With no hidden costs, you’ll pay less than you might think and be back to your best sooner than you thought.

  • Surgery in 4 to 6 weeks
  • No hidden costs
  • Flexible finance options
Wellsoon self-pay surgery from Practice Plus Group logo, click to find out more
To chat about Wellsoon self-pay surgery options, call our Private Patient Advisors today, on 0330 818 8945. Alternatively, you can email us on privatepatient@practiceplusgroup.com

What our patients are saying

Knee replacement patient video testimonial from Jennie Peace.

Knee replacement patient, Jennie, tells of her 'great' experience

Hip replacement patient video testimonial from Val Stones from The Great British Bake Off.

Hip patient Val Stones of Great British Bake Off fame, sings our praises

Karen Hardy knee replacement patient

Knee replacement patient, Karen, tells of her 'life-changing' knee surgery at Barlborough

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See all reviews

Amazing staff

Went here as a nervous patient. From the moment I arrived I was made to feel welcome and looked after extremely well. Practice Plus Group staff are just amazing and caring.
by M K

Hip replacement, Plymouth – excellent

My Brother, Andrew has just had a left hip replacement. From start through to the discharge I have to say has been excellent. Such a calm atmosphere, friendly and helpful staff, it makes a huge difference at a very stressful time. Our grateful thanks to everyone.

by Paul Lower, Google

Knee replacement, Emersons Green – excellent care throughout

I had a uni-knee replacement operation on 20th February and six weeks later I am very pleased with it. I had excellent care throughout my stay and everything matched or exceeded my expectations. Although paying for it myself was daunting I am glad I had the op and the certainty of a set fee made it less worrying. I would recommend Practice Plus at Emersons Green to anyone else who can afford not to wait for an NHS operation.
by Amanda May, Google

Cataract surgery, Gillingham – everyone very friendly

I went for my cataract assessment today and found everyone very friendly and I was put at ease about the procedure. I feel very relaxed to know that I’ll be in good hands when the time for my surgery arrives.
by Sandra Church, Google

Hernia surgery, Portsmouth – such a wonderful job

Huge thank you for taking such good care of my husband, Gary, who was in for a hernia repair at Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, St Mary’s Portsmouth. He made a wonderfully quick recovery and didn’t even need so much as a paracetamol! Thank you everyone for doing such a wonderful job!

by Mrs Pilcher

Hip replacement, Southampton – everybody was so caring and kind

A big thank you to Practice Plus Southampton. I had my Total Hip Replacement on 1st February 23. Everybody was so caring and kind. Home the next day. Thank you again to Mr Khan and team.

by Una Hallissey, Google

Knee replacement, Ilford – from start to finish all the team were amazing

I can honestly say from start to finish all the team were amazing. My operation had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, but the surgeon and team made sure I was dealt with the very next morning. They were caring, considerate and above all else friendly.

by Carol Borg, Google

Cataract surgery, Rochdale – delivered life changing results

This Autumn and Winter, I have had cataract surgery to both eyes carried out by the ophthalmic team at Rochdale. Friendly staff greet patients at clean, modern facilities after well-organised appointments…they run more to time than most health services and an outstanding surgical team delivered life changing results! I could not recommend this service enough.

by Iain Brew, Facebook

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How long do you have to wait for private surgery with Practice Plus Group?

Depending on the type of surgery you need, the maximum wait time for your procedure should be six weeks following your initial consultation.

For more information on treatment-specific waiting times, please take a look at the guides below:

NHS surgery waiting times vs private hospital waiting times

One of the main benefits of private healthcare is the shorter waiting times compared to the NHS. Depending on the type of treatment needed and location in the UK, some NHS patients can wait years before they’re seen. The current NHS waiting times are available on the dedicated waiting list tracker on the My Planned Care website. This allows you to search waiting times by treatment and region. For more information on having your NHS surgery sooner, take a look at our blog.

How do I find out where I am on the NHS waiting list?

The My Planned Care website features a tool that allows you to search the latest NHS waiting lists by UK location. There is also a dedicated NHS waiting list tracker that offers up-to-date information on regional waiting lists around England.

Reduce waiting time for your treatment

One of the main benefits of private healthcare is the shorter waiting times. We aim to offer treatment for all of our patients between four and six weeks after their initial appointment.

The benefits don’t stop there. At Practice Plus Group, you’ll enjoy state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in one of 10 locations spread across the UK. Our approach to healthcare is consultant led and all of our specialists boast a wealth of medical knowledge. Our friendly and attentive nursing teams will support you from the moment you step through our doors.

To get started and book your initial consultation with us, don’t wait! You can either call us on 0330 173 2860 or submit a booking enquiry using the form below.

Private healthcare waiting times FAQs

If you haven’t found the information you’re looking for, the waiting time FAQs below might be able to help.

In a word: yes. One of the main reasons people opt for private healthcare over the NHS is the shorter waiting times.

One of the most effective ways of getting your surgery faster in the UK is to research hospital locations. It’s possible that the most convenient hospital for you has longer waiting times than others further afield. Because of this, you should be prepared to travel for your treatment.

This depends on the private healthcare provider. At Practice Plus Group, the average wait time for treatment following your initial consultation is between four and six weeks.

At Practice Plus Group, the average wait time for treatment following your initial consultation is between four and six weeks.

Get in touch

The waiting times cover the period between consultation and actual procedure. They will vary according to the provider and where you live and they are subject to change.

Any surgery first requires an initial consultation booking. Initial consultations must be booked via the Private Patient Contact Centre by emailing us directly at privatepatient@practiceplusgroup.com or by calling 0330 053 6441. The availability to book an initial consultation is based on criteria which will be discussed before booking.

If you have had an initial consultation via the NHS at a Practice Plus Group Hospital or Surgical Centre, and you wish to switch to self-pay, the new waiting time will begin on the day you confirm you would like to switch, providing no further initial consultation is required. If another consultation is required, it will begin on the day the latter consultation takes place.

An initial consultation does not guarantee that surgery will be available or possible. Suitability for surgical surgery is assessed at the initial consultation.

If you are consented for two or more surgeries during an initial consultation, the waiting time will only apply to the surgery which is due to take place first.

Practice Plus Group reserves the right to suspend and/or amend these terms and conditions without notice and at their sole discretion.

2023 © Practice Plus Group Holdings Limited is a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 10787931 whose registered office is at Hawker House 5-6 Napier Court, Napier Road, Reading, Berkshire, England, RG1 8BW.